Athenaeum

Alternative forms

• Athenæum

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /aθɪˈniːəm/

Noun

Athenaeum (plural Athenaeums or Athenaea)

1. 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.
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.

References

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