释义 |
‖ xystus|ˈzɪstəs| Pl. xysti |-aɪ|. Also 7 zystus, pl. xisti; 8–9 xystos, 9 zystos; 8–9 xystum, pl. xysta (7 erron. xystas). Also in anglicized form xyst. [L. xystus masc., also xystum neut., ad. Gr. ξυστός, prop. n. use of the masc. of ξυστός adj.: see prec.] Among the ancient Greeks, a long covered portico or court used for athletic exercises; among the ancient Romans, an open colonnade, or walk planted with trees, used for recreation and conversation; hence occas. allusively.
1664Evelyn tr. Freart's Archit. 132 Those large Xystas, Porticos, Atrias and Vestibula of the Greeks and Romans. 1696― Let. to Wotton 28 Oct., Spacious plots of ground..built about with porticos, xisti, & noble ranges of pillars. 1696Phillips (ed. 5), Zystus, was a Place where the Wrestlers exercis'd. 1706Ibid. (ed. Kersey), Xystos, a large Portico or Gallery, where the Greek Wrestlers us'd to practise in Winter-time. Ibid., Xystus or Xystum (among the Romans) an open Walking-Place..; also a Knot-Garden. 1721(title) The Architecture of A. Palladio..containing A short Treatise of the Five Orders..also The different Construction of Private and Publick Houses, High-ways, Bridges, Market-places, Xystes, and Temples... Revised..By Giacomo Leoni. 1763Smollett Trav. xxx. (1766) II. 102 The Xysta, which were shady walks between two porticos. 1823P. Nicholson Pract. Builder 596 Zystos; among the antients, a portico or aile of unusual length, commonly appropriated to gymnastic exercises. 1856Macaulay in Trevelyan Life & Lett. xiv. (1913) II. 405 [I] directed the workmen to set creepers in my xystus. 1871Farrar Witn. Hist. vi. 98 Philosophers who aired their elegant doubts in the shady xystus. |