hypostyle

American  

[hahy-puh-stahyl, hip-uh-] / ˈhaɪ pəˌstaɪl, ˈhɪp ə- /

adjective

1. having many columns carrying the roof or ceiling.

   a hypostyle hall.

---

noun

1. a hypostyle structure.

hypostyle British  

/ ˈhaɪpəʊˌstaɪl /

adjective

1. having a roof supported by columns

---

noun

1. a building constructed in this way

Etymology

Origin of hypostyle

1825–35; < Greek hypóstȳlos resting on pillars, equivalent to hypo- hypo- + -stȳlos -style ²

Example Sentences

Squared-off columns and massive beams form an underwater hypostyle hall that is at once claustrophobic — dank, close and cool — and yet seemingly limitless.

From New York Times • Aug. 8, 2016

A profusion of stout, mushroom-shaped columns gives the floors the feeling of a hypostyle hall in an ancient Egyptian temple.

From New York Times • Jan. 21, 2015

Rameses, solitary and luxurious, was stretched upon a cushioned divan in the shadow of a canopy over the hypostyle.

From The Yoke A Romance of the Days when the Lord Redeemed the Children of Israel from the Bondage of Egypt by Miller, Elizabeth

Then he conducted Ramses to the hypostyle and gave the order to admit deputations within the wall of the temple.

From The Pharaoh and the Priest An Historical Novel of Ancient Egypt by Curtin, Jeremiah

He traversed the hypostyle hall and the maze of the granitic forest with its one hundred and sixty-two pillars tall and strong as towers.

From The Works of Theophile Gautier, Volume 5 The Romance of a Mummy and Egypt by Sumichrast, Frederick C. de (Frederick Caesar de)