lares and penates

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plural noun
  1. Lares and Penates, Roman Religion. the benevolent spirits and gods of the household.

  2. the cherished possessions of a family or household.

Origin of lares and penates

1
1765–75; <Latin Larēs (et) Penātēs

Words Nearby lares and penates

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British Dictionary definitions for lares and penates

lares and penates

/ (ˈlɛəriːz, ˈlɑː-) /


pl n
  1. Roman myth

    • household gods

    • statues of these gods kept in the home

  2. the valued possessions of a household

Origin of lares and penates

1
Latin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012