Wiktionary

Athenaeum

English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

Borrowed from Latin Athenaeum, from Ancient Greek Ᾰ̓θήναιον (Athḗnaion), from Ἀθήνη (Athḗnē, “Athene”).

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

Athenaeum (plural Athenaeums or Athenaea)

  1. (Ancient Greece) A temple primarily dedicated to Athena or her Roman equivalent Minerva, especially that of Athens.
    • 1728, Ephraim Chambers, Cyclopaedia, s.v. "Athenaeum":
      The Athenaea were built in form of Amphitheatres.
  2. Alternative form of athenaeum: a literary or scientific club, especially that of Boston.
    • 1840, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Grandfather's Chair‎[1]:
      “O Grandfather, tell us all about that Indian Bible!” exclaimed Laurence. “I have seen it in the library of the Athenaeum; and the tears came into my eyes to think that there were no Indians left to read it.”
    • 1893, Thomas Bailey Aldrich, An Old Town By The Sea‎[2]:
      Among the prominent buildings is the Athenaeum, containing a reading-room and library.
  3. Alternative form of athenaeum: the reading room or library of such clubs, especially the London Athenaeum Club.
  4. Alternative form of athenaeum: a literary or scientific periodical, especially the London Athenaeum.

Translations edit

References edit

  • "Athenaeum, n.", in the Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Further reading edit

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