lyceum

American  

[lahy-see-uhm] / laɪˈsi əm /

noun

1. an institution for popular education providing discussions, lectures, concerts, etc.

2. a building for such activities.

3. (initial capital letter) the gymnasium where Aristotle taught, in ancient Athens.

4. a lycée.

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lyceum ¹ British  

/ laɪˈsɪəm /

noun

1. a public building for concerts, lectures, etc

2. a cultural organization responsible for presenting concerts, lectures, etc

3. another word for lycée

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Lyceum ² British  

/ laɪˈsɪəm /

noun

1. a school and sports ground of ancient Athens: site of Aristotle's discussions with his pupils

2. the Aristotelian school of philosophy

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Etymology

Origin of lyceum

First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin Lycēum, Lycīum, from Greek Lýkeion place in Athens, so named from the neighboring temple of Apollo; noun use of neuter of lýkeios, epithet of Apollo, variously explained

Example Sentences

He won his baccalaureate, and for four years taught history at a lyceum in Hanoi.

From Time Magazine Archive

With the facile ease of a lyceum lecturer, Evita Per�n delved into the ancient authors.

From Time Magazine Archive

Noteworthy also are the old palace of the bishops, now a clerical seminary, the theological lyceum and the town-hall.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 1 "Franciscans" to "French Language" by Various

Will the extension 114 system, any better than its decayed predecessor, the old lyceum system, resist the demands of popular audiences and keep itself from slipping out of serious instruction into lively and eloquent entertainment?

From The Teacher Essays and Addresses on Education by Palmer, Alice Freeman

Harper of New York, who gave in his remarks a delightful pen portrait of Doctor Holmes, the lyceum lecturer, which we have elsewhere quoted.

From Life of Oliver Wendell Holmes by Brown, E. E.

Related Words

• amphitheater
• arena
• auditorium
• ballroom
• chamber
• church
• gallery
• gym
• gymnasium
• lounge
• theater