Athenaeum

English

Alternative forms

• athenaeum
• Athenæum

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /aθɪˈniːəm/

Noun

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:

     “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:

     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

temple

Polish: Ateneum n

References

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

Further reading

• Boston Athenæum on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• The Athenaeum (British magazine) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia