Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for catacomb

catacomb

[ kat-uh-kohm ]

noun

  1. Usually catacombs. an underground cemetery, especially one consisting of tunnels and rooms with recesses dug out for coffins and tombs.
  2. the Catacombs, the subterranean burial chambers of the early Christians in and near Rome, Italy.
  3. an underground passageway, especially one full of twists and turns.


catacomb

/ -ˌkuːm; ˈkætəˌkəʊm /

noun

  1. usually plural an underground burial place, esp the galleries at Rome, consisting of tunnels with vaults or niches leading off them for tombs
  2. a series of interconnected underground tunnels or caves
“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


Discover More

Other Words From

  • cat·a·cum·bal [kat-, uh, -, kuhm, -b, uh, l], adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of catacomb1

First recorded before 900; Middle English catacombe, Old English catacumbe, from Late Latin catacumbās (accusative plural); of disputed origin; perhaps from unattested Greek katakýmbās, equivalent to kata- + kýmbās, accusative plural of kýmbē “hollow, cup”; cata-
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of catacomb1

Old English catacumbe, from Late Latin catacumbas (singular), name of the cemetery under the Basilica of St Sebastian, near Rome; origin unknown
Discover More

Example Sentences

The fact that the catacombs were exposed by a series of earthquakes both closed some of them and exposed others.

A 16th-century commentator, Jacopo Cenna, notes that in his time how people would visit the site armed with torches, and even linger in the tunnels during the hot summer months when the catacombs provided respite from the heat.

The proximity of the catacombs to Christian burial grounds and a church made it likely that this was some kind of shared space.

The practice of aging wine dates back thousands of years, from the ancient catacombs of Rome to the royal courts of Europe, where aged sweet wines like Sauternes and Tokaji reigned.

From Eater

The ancient Christians dug into the volcanic tufo rock here an extensive warren of catacombs.

From Fortune

The accompanying map of part of the Catacomb of Callixtus will indicate the general plan of these subterranean galleries.

An example of both sorts is seen in the accompanying engraving of a cubiculum in the Catacomb of St. Prtextatus.

In part of an ancient arenarium converted into a cemetery in the Catacomb of St. Priscilla similar constructions may be seen.

De Rossi has given a map of the Catacomb of Callixtus, in which these areas are accurately defined.

Boniface I., having been for some time concealed in the Catacomb of Felicitas, afterwards elaborately ornamented it.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


cataclysmiccatadioptric