catacomb

English

The catacombs of Paris.

Etymology

From Old English, from Late Latin catacumbas, name of the underground cemetery of St. Sebastian in Rome, dissimilation of Latin cata- (“among”) (from Ancient Greek κατά (katá, “under”)) + tumbas.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈkatəˌkəʊm/ (less commonly) IPA(key): /ˈkatəkuːm/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈkætakoʊm/, /ˈkætəkuːm/

Noun

catacomb (plural catacombs)

  1. (often plural) An underground system of tunnels and chambers with recesses for graves, used (in former times) as a cemetery; a subterranean tunnel system used for burying the dead, as in Paris or Ancient Rome.

Translations

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