serdab

American  

[ser-dahb] / sərˈdɑb /

noun

1. a chamber inside a mastaba containing a statue of the deceased.

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serdab British  

/ ˈsɜːdæb, səˈdæb /

noun

1. a secret chamber in an ancient Egyptian tomb

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Etymology

Origin of serdab

1835–45; < Arabic sirdāb underground chamber < Persian sardāb cellar for ice, equivalent to sard cold + āb water

Example Sentences

The serdab, therefore, was transformed, and combined with the stela of the ancient mastabas.

From Manual of Egyptian Archaeology and Guide to the Study of Antiquities in Egypt by Maspero, G. (Gaston)

There, in the very spot where I had expected to find it, was the opening of a serdab.

From The Jewel of Seven Stars by Stoker, Bram

To this hiding-place archaeologists have given the Arab name of "serdab."

From Manual of Egyptian Archaeology and Guide to the Study of Antiquities in Egypt by Maspero, G. (Gaston)

The hiding of the lamps in the serdab, and the institution of the avenging 'treasurer' shows that there was defence, positive as well as negative.

From The Jewel of Seven Stars by Stoker, Bram

The Ka statues of his servants and family, which in former times were placed in the serdab with those of the master, were now consigned to the vault, and made on a smaller scale.

From Manual of Egyptian Archaeology and Guide to the Study of Antiquities in Egypt by Maspero, G. (Gaston)