hypogeum

American  

[hahy-puh-jee-uhm, hip-uh-] / ˌhaɪ pəˈdʒi əm, ˌhɪp ə- /

noun

plural

hypogea

1. Ancient Architecture. the underground part of a building, as a vault.

2. an underground burial chamber.

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hypogeum British  

/ ˌhaɪpəˈdʒiːəm /

noun

1. an underground vault, esp one used for burials

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Etymology

Origin of hypogeum

1700–10; < Latin hypogēum < Greek hypógeion underground chamber (neuter of hypógeios underground), equivalent to hypo- hypo- + gê earth + -ion neuter adj. suffix

Example Sentences

“Now we have to hurry,” said the Big F. “We should go through your stage directions. The hypogeum is all set!”

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan

She still had nightmares about the nymphaeum and the hypogeum under Rome.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

The hypogeum ascended through a forest of weathered stone columns, into the middle of a ruined coliseum.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan

Ever since his trip beneath Rome with Piper and Percy, fighting those twin giants in the hypogeum under the Colosseum, most of his nightmares were about basements, trapdoors, and large hamster wheels.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

“You’re a Roman demigod, aren’t you? You should know! Ah, but I suppose if we do our job right down here in the underworks, you really wouldn’t know the hypogeum exists.”

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan