exedra

American  

[ek-si-druh, ek-see-] / ˈɛk sɪ drə, ɛkˈsi- /

noun

plural

exedrae

1. (in ancient Greece and Rome) a room or covered area open on one side, used as a meeting place.

2. a permanent outdoor bench, semicircular in plan and having a high back.

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exedra British  

/ ˈɛksɪdrə, ɛkˈsiː- /

noun

1. a building, room, portico, or apse containing a continuous bench, used in ancient Greece and Rome for holding discussions

2. an outdoor bench in a recess

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Other Word Forms

• exedral adjective

Etymology

Origin of exedra

1700–10; < Latin: hall furnished with seats < Greek exédra (covered) walk with seats, equivalent to ex- ex- ³ + ( h ) édra seat, bench

Example Sentences

The exedra — a Greek term for what became a popular garden feature in the 18th century — has a statue of Eros at its center in commemoration of the Seilheimers’ 40th wedding anniversary.

From Washington Post • Sep. 24, 2020

A collaboration by Augustus Saint-Gaudens on an exedra designed by architect Stanford White, the statue, cast in 1880, stands above reliefs of two female figures representing Loyalty and Courage.

From New York Times • Sep. 23, 2018

It consists of an exedra and pedestal surmounted by a figure of Peace . . . backed by an illuminated cross.

From Time Magazine Archive

Next to this is a large and handsome exedra, decorated with good pictures, a third of the size of life.

From Museum of Antiquity A Description of Ancient Life by Haines, T. L. (Thomas Louis)

The Rev. Prebendary Scarth omits altogether to figure the southern rectangular exedra, found at the same time as the last named discovery.

From The Excavations of Roman Baths at Bath by Davis, Charles E.