cella

American  

[sel-uh] / ˈsɛl ə /

noun

Architecture.

plural

cellae

1. the principal enclosed chamber of a classical temple.

2. the entire central structure of a classical temple.

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cella British  

/ ˈsɛlə /

noun

1. Also called: naos.  the inner room of a classical temple, esp the room housing the statue of a deity

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Etymology

Origin of cella

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

Example Sentences

Enough old stones exist to rebuild much of the wall of the Parthenon's rectangular interior chamber, or cella.

From Time Magazine Archive

The north-west corner of the western cella is peculiar in two ways.

From Problems in Periclean Buildings by Elderkin, G. W. (George Wicker)

The temple consisted of a central cella with a pronaos and opisthodomos, and was surrounded by a Doric colonnade, having six columns at the ends and fifteen columns at the sides.

From A Catalogue of Sculpture in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum, Volume I (of 2) by Smith, A. H.

The cella contained ten Ionic columns engaged in buttresses which connected them with the side walls.

From A Catalogue of Sculpture in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum, Volume I (of 2) by Smith, A. H.

The theory was at one time put forward that a staircase afforded communication between the western cella and the higher eastern cella, but several considerations establish the fact that they had a common level.

From Problems in Periclean Buildings by Elderkin, G. W. (George Wicker)