hypogeum

English

Etymology

From Latin hypogaeum, from Ancient Greek ὑπόγειον (hupógeion), a noun use of the neuter singular of ὑπόγειος (hupógeios, “underground”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /hʌɪpəˈd͡ʒiːəm/, /hɪpəˈd͡ʒiːəm/

Noun

hypogeum (plural hypogeums or hypogea)

1. An underground room or cavern (also used figuratively).
   • 1969, JG Ballard, The Atrocity Exhibition:

     Contour: the unique parameters of Karen’s body – beckoning vents of mouth and vulva, the soft hypogeum of the anus.

Translations

underground vault

• Catalan: hipogeu m
• French: hypogée (fr) m
• Indonesian: hipogeum
• Italian: ipogeo (it) m
• Occitan: ipogèu (oc)
• Romanian: hipogeu (ro) n