lares and penates

American  

plural noun

1. Roman Religion. Lares and Penates, the benevolent spirits and gods of the household.

2. the cherished possessions of a family or household.

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lares and penates British  

/ ˈlɑː-, ˈlɛəriːz /

plural noun

1. Roman myth

   1. household gods

   2. statues of these gods kept in the home

2. the valued possessions of a household

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Etymology

Origin of lares and penates

1765–75; < Latin Larēs ( et ) Penātēs

Example Sentences

Her lares and penates range from Ella Fitzgerald to Frank Sinatra and Peggy Lee.

From Time Magazine Archive

I decided to go and protect my lares and penates, trivial though they might be.

From Kitty's Conquest by King, Charles

There, for reasons understood then only by himself, had Sir Adrian elected, about the "year seven" of this century and in the prime of his age, to transplant his lares and penates.

From The Light of Scarthey by Castle, Egerton

Into the house he dashed, and as he recognised his lares and penates he uttered a howl of triumph.

From Bindle Some Chapters in the Life of Joseph Bindle by Jenkins, Herbert George

But if you and Miss Lovell would come over one day soon and help me to decide about the disposition of my lares and penates, it would be the greatest help.

From The Vision of Desire by Pedler, Margaret