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

The hypogeum was “the heart” of the amphitheater, Alfonsina Russo, the director of the Colosseum and its archaeological park, told reporters on Friday during an impromptu tour of what she described as the monument’s backstage, where she said “preparation took place to ensure the optimal execution of the games.”

From New York Times

More than 80 archaeologists, architects and engineers worked on the 15,000 sq metre "hypogeum" for two years to "bring back to the centre of the attention a monument that the whole world loves", according to Diego della Valle, chairman of Tod’s, the Italian fashion group that funded the work.

From Reuters

The arena could also - before the hypogeum was built - be filled with water to re-enact sea battles.

From Reuters

Those and other areas were buried until the late 19th century, when the hypogeum, or underground area, began to be excavated.

From Seattle Times

Franceschini noted that the floor of the arena had been intact at that time and referred to one photograph, from about 1870, that showed the hypogeum totally covered.

From Seattle Times