athenaeum
or ath·e·ne·um
[ ath-uh-nee-uhm, -ney- ]
/ ˌæθ əˈni əm, -ˈneɪ- /
noun
an institution for the promotion of literary or scientific learning.
a library or reading room.
(initial capital letter) a sanctuary of Athena at Athens, built by the Roman emperor Hadrian, and frequented by poets and scholars.
QUIZZES
IT’S A WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ BONANZA!
This windfall of words will make you rich with knowledge. Mine your memory on the words from July 27 to August 2!
Question 1 of 7
What does "scattergood" mean?
a person who acts as though he or she knows everything and who dismisses the opinions, comments, or suggestions of others.
a person who spends possessions or money extravagantly or wastefully; spendthrift.
a well-intentioned but naive and often ineffectual social or political reformer.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUTOrigin of athenaeum
1720–30; <Latin <Greek Athḗnaion temple of Athena, where poets read their works
Words nearby athenaeum
atheling, Athelstan, athel tree, athematic, Athena, athenaeum, Athenaeus, Athenaeus of Attaleia, Athenagoras I, Athenian, Athénienne
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for athenaeum
British Dictionary definitions for athenaeum (1 of 2)
athenaeum
US atheneum
/ (ˌæθɪˈniːəm) /
noun
an institution for the promotion of learning
a building containing a reading room or library, esp one used by such an institution
Word Origin for athenaeum
C18: from Late Latin, from Greek Athēnaion temple of Athene, frequented by poets and teachers
British Dictionary definitions for athenaeum (2 of 2)
Athenaeum
sometimes US Atheneum
/ (ˌæθɪˈniːəm) /
noun
(in ancient Greece) a building sacred to the goddess Athena, esp the Athenian temple that served as a gathering place for the learned
(in imperial Rome) the academy of learning established near the Forum in about 135 ad by Hadrian
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