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

A quinzied mother-in-law had knocked his lares and penates sky-high.

From The Trimmed Lamp, and other Stories of the Four Million by Henry, O.

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

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

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

From Kitty's Conquest by King, Charles