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

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

From Sónnica by Blasco Ibáñez, Vicente

Opening from the peristyle was the triclinium, or dining hall.

From Roman Women by Brittain, Alfred

Another relief represents a banquet in a triclinium.

From The Shores of the Adriatic The Austrian Side, The Küstenlande, Istria, and Dalmatia by Jackson, F. Hamilton (Frederick Hamilton)

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 Haines, T. L. (Thomas Louis)

The lamps were still burning in the triclinium, and an insufferable vapor of viands, wines, and sweaty bodies floated through the doorway.

From Sónnica by Blasco Ibáñez, Vicente

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

From Walks in Rome by Hare, Augustus J. C.

Overshadowing the Herod till in very despair he hath taken to racing and left the triclinia and the atria to thee!

From Saul of Tarsus A Tale of the Early Christians by Miller, Elizabeth

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 Fowler, W. Warde

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

As triclinia were placed in eating-rooms, such a room is sometimes called triclinium.

From Plutarch's Lives Volume III. by Stewart, Aubrey