triclinium

American  

[trahy-klin-ee-uhm] / traɪˈklɪn i əm /

noun

Roman History.

plural

triclinia

1. a couch extending along three sides of a table, for reclining on at meals.

2. a dining room, especially one containing such a couch.

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triclinium British  

/ traɪˈklɪnɪəm /

noun

1. an arrangement of three couches around a table for reclining upon while dining

2. a dining room, esp one containing such an arrangement of couches

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Etymology

Origin of triclinium

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin trīclīnium, from Greek triklī́nion, diminutive of tríklīnos “having three couches (adjective), dining room so furnished (noun),” equivalent to tri- tri- + klī́n(ē) “couch” ( clinic ) + -ion diminutive suffix

Example Sentences

The guests, red with emotion, their eyes sparkling and their mouths dry, had rushed into the centre of the triclinium, interrupting the dance, mixing with the couples and grasping them.

From Sónnica by Blasco Ibáñez, Vicente

"Here is a triclinium with three beds and other conveniences."

From Museum of Antiquity A Description of Ancient Life by Haines, T. L. (Thomas Louis)

Perhaps they hoped to salvage the strong box in the atrium, or a heirloom from the triclinium.

From Cookery and Dining in Imperial Rome by Vehling, Joseph Dommers

"According to the poets, the phœnix bestrews its nest with incense, bay, and cinnamon, but I swear by the gods that I would rather be in S�nnica's triclinium than in that nest!"

From Sónnica by Blasco Ibáñez, Vicente

They were slaves who, excited by the feast, continued beneath the open sky the scenes of the triclinium.

From Sónnica by Blasco Ibáñez, Vicente