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cella

[ sel-uh ]
/ ˈsɛl ə /

noun, plural cel·lae [sel-ee]. /ˈsɛl i/. Architecture.

the principal enclosed chamber of a classical temple.
the entire central structure of a classical temple.

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Also called naos.

Origin of cella

1670–80; <Latin: storeroom, shrine, akin to cēlāre to hide; see conceal

Words nearby cella

celioscope, celioscopy, celiotomy, celitis, cell, cella, cellar, cellarage, cellar dwellers, cellarer, cellaret
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for cella

British Dictionary definitions for cella

cella
/ (ˈsɛlə) /

noun plural -lae (-liː)

the inner room of a classical temple, esp the room housing the statue of a deityAlso called: naos

Word Origin for cella

C17: from Latin: room, shrine; see cell 1
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