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Webster 1913 Edition
Athenaeum
Athˊe-ne′um
,Athˊe-næ′um
Noun.
pl. E.
Atheneums
, L. Athenæa
. [L.
Athenaeum
, Gr. Ἀθηναίον
a temple of Minerva at Athens, fr. Ἀθηνᾶ
, contr. fr. Ἀθηνάα
, Ἀθηναία
, in Homer Ἀθήνη
, Ἀθηναίν
, Athene (called Minerva by the Romans), the tutelary goddess of Athens.] 1.
(Gr. Antiq.)
A temple of Athene, at Athens, in which scholars and poets were accustomed to read their works and instruct students.
2.
A school founded at Rome by Hadrian.
3.
A literary or scientific association or club.
4.
A building or an apartment where a library, periodicals, and newspapers are kept for use.
Definition 2024
athenaeum
athenaeum
See also: athenæum
English
Alternative forms
Noun
athenaeum (plural athenaeums)
- An association for the advancement of learning, particularly in the fields of science or literature.
- A building for storing books or newspapers; a library, reading room etc.
- 1921, Christopher Morley, Plum Pudding:
- And this, too, may have been not unconnected with the gracious influence of the other sex as exhibited in a neighbouring athenaeum; and was accompanied by a gruesome spate of florid lyrics: some (happily) secret, and some exposed with needless hardihood in a college magazine.
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