View synonyms for adytum

adytum

[ ad-i-tuhm ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural ad·y·ta [ad, -i-t, uh].

(in ancient worship) a sacred place that the public was forbidden to enter; an inner shrine.
the most sacred or reserved part of any place of worship.

adytum

/ ˈædɪtəm /

the most sacred place of worship in an ancient temple from which the laity was prohibited

Origin of adytum¹

1665–75; < Latin < Greek ádyton (place) not to be entered, equivalent to a- a- ⁶ + -dyton, neuter of -dytos, verbid of dýein to enter

Origin of adytum¹

C17: Latin, from Greek aduton a place not to be entered, from a- ¹+ duein to enter

Adytum, ad′i-tum, n. the most sacred part of a heathen temple: the chancel of a church:—pl.

The adytum itself consists of three apartments, entirely of granite.

Behind the adytum are small rooms for the priests who served in the temple.

All the old temples had an adytum, sanctuary, or holy of holies—a place not open to the profane, but protected by rigid taboos.

Author's hospitable reception there, and admission to the adytum, 119.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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