thermae

American  

[thur-mee] / ˈθɜr mi /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. hot springs; hot baths.

2. a public bathing establishment of the ancient Greeks or Romans.

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thermae British  

/ ˈθɜːmiː /

plural noun

1. public baths or hot springs, esp in ancient Greece or Rome

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Etymology

Origin of thermae

1590–1600; < Latin < Greek thérmai; noun use of plural of thérmē heat; thermo-

Example Sentences

Provincial towns such as Bath had their thermae, heated bathing complexes with splendid indoor pools and an attached palaestra for exercising in the revered Greek style.

From Slate • Jul. 24, 2012

It was taken ordinarily in one of the public bathing establishments, or thermae, to be found in every Roman town.

From Early European History by Webster, Hutton

They did not possess the magnitude and ornament of the Roman thermae.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 03, No. 19, May, 1859 by Various

The magnificence of the Romans was not so conspicuous in their temples, as in their theatres, amphitheatres, circusses, naumachia, aqueducts, triumphal arches, porticoes, basilicae, but especially their thermae, or bathing-places.

From Travels through France and Italy by Smollett, T. (Tobias)

I have already observed the great number of baths which he opened for the people, and the magnificent thermae, with spacious gardens, which he bequeathed to them as a legacy.

From Travels through France and Italy by Smollett, T. (Tobias)