triclinium

American  

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

noun

Roman History.

• triclinia
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• triclinia
  plural

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” ( see clinic) + -ion diminutive suffix

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

triclinium triclinia

We may take this opportunity to describe the nature and arrangement of the triclinium, of which such frequent mention has been made.

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

Manlius remained a long time in the triclinium, lost in thought.

From A Christian But a Roman by Mór Jókai

F, F, F. Different chambers, halls, triclinium, in which the remains of a carpet were found on the floor, and other rooms, to which it is difficult to assign any particular destination.

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

At the bottom of the peristyle, on the right, is a triclinium.

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

Above it was a trellis, as is shown by the square pillars in front and the holes in the walls which enclose two sides of the triclinium.

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

Even in private houses, these triclinia were magnificently adorned.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine - Volume 62, No. 384, October 1847 by Various

The triclinia were open at one end, i.e. not shut up as our dining-rooms are, and the air would not get close and "dinnery."

From Social life at Rome in the Age of Cicero by W. Warde Fowler

It was adorned with pillars of Hymettian marble, with expensive vases, and triclinia inlaid with brass.

From Walks in Rome by Augustus J. C. Hare

The Parasites, when there was not room for them on the "triclinia," or "couches" at table, were forced to sit on "subsellia," or "benches," at the bottom of the table.

From The Captiva and the Mostellaria by Henry T. (Henry Thomas) Riley

And she had twelve triclinia laid; and invited Antony to a banquet, and desired him to bring with him whatever companions he pleased.

From The Deipnosophists, or Banquet of the Learned of Athen?us by Athen?us