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

Inflected Forms

noun

• 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

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 Haines, T. L. (Thomas Louis)

"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

In La Palais de Scaurus, by Mazois, there is a pen picture of a triclinium, every detail of which is authenticated by ancient authorities.

From Roman Women by Brittain, Alfred

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

From Roman Women by Brittain, Alfred

That close to the gate, called the House of the Triclinium, derives its name from a large triclinium in the centre of the peristyle, which is spacious and handsome, and bounded by the city walls.

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