| 释义 |
‖ penates, n. pl.|pɪˈneɪtiːz|
[L. Penātēs pl., perh. f. penus innermost part of a temple of Vesta, sanctuary.]
In ancient Roman mythology, The guardian deities of the household and of the state, who were worshipped in the interior of every dwelling-house; often coupled with Lares (see lar); household gods. Also transf. and fig.
1513Douglas æneis xiii. x. 81 Penates, or the Goddis domesticall. 1549Thomas Hist. Italie 8 b. 1616B. Jonson Forest ii, They saw thy fires Shine bright on every hearth, as the desires Of thy Penates had been set on flame, To entertain them. 1662Evelyn Chalcogr. (1769) 27 The Penates of Laban. 1775[see lar 1]. 1792W. Roberts Looker-on No. 1 (1794) I. 9 My mother had a pious regard for this relick, which was always one of her little penates, or pocket-gods. 1824Byron Def. Transf. ii. i. 103 Yet once more, ye old Penates! Let not your quench'd hearths be Até's! 1882C. Pebody Eng. Journalism xv. 109 John Walter broke up his household..in Printing House Square, set up his penates at Bearwood. |