pulvinar

American  

[puhl-vahy-ner] / pʌlˈvaɪ nər /

noun

plural

pulvinaria

1. (in ancient Rome)

   1. a cushioned couch kept in readiness for any visitation of a god.

   2. a cushioned seat at a circus.

2. Also called pulvinus.  (on an Ionic capital) either of two convex forms having on their ends two of the volutes.

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adjective

1. pulvinate.

Etymology

Origin of pulvinar

1590–1600; (noun) < Latin pulvīnar cushioned couch, equivalent to pulvīn ( us ) cushion + -ar, shortening of -āre, neuter of āris -ar ¹; (adj.) pulvin(us) + -ar ¹

Example Sentences

Tyborowska, A., Volman, I., Smeekens, S., Toni, I. & Roelofs, K. Testosterone during puberty shifts emotional control from pulvinar to anterior prefrontal cortex.

From Nature • Feb. 20, 2018

The lower portion is a semicircular pulvinar adorned with acanthus leaves, deeply undercut; the upper portion is occupied by a long inscription in raised ornamental letters to the honour of Justinian, Theodora, and S. Sergius.

From Byzantine Churches in Constantinople Their History and Architecture by Van Millingen, Alexander

His throne was on the eastern side of the amphitheater, where a large space, called the pulvinar, was reserved, and richly decorated for the imperial court.

From Journeys Through Bookland, Vol. 4 by Sylvester, Charles Herbert

On the northern side, not directly opposite to the pulvinar, but considerably nearer the eastern end, the "Porta Pomp�," there were projecting boxes for the bridegroom, his most intimate friends, and his most distinguished guests.

From The Scarlet Banner by Dahn, Felix

“Nunc est bibendum, nunc pede libero Pulsanda tellus: Nunc saliaribus Ornare pulvinar Deorum Tempus erit dapibus sodales.”

From Ebrietatis Encomium or, the Praise of Drunkenness by Samber, Robert