Definition of propylaeum in English:
propylaeum
nounPlural propylaea ˌprɒpɪˈliːəmˌprɑpəˈliəm
Architecture 1The structure forming the entrance to a temple.
Example sentencesExamples
- These venturi formed ventilation flues and water storage tanks, together with the entrance propylaea and dramatic earth sculpture, demonstrating the effect the architects were seeking, ‘the earth rises and falls like a human breast’.
- Distantly inspired by the propylaea on the Acropolis in Athens, it was the first of the ceremonial Doric gateways to rise in modern Europe.
- 1.1the Propylaeum The entrance to the Acropolis at Athens.
Origin
Via Latin from Greek propulaion, neuter (used as a noun) of propulaios 'before the gate', from pro 'before' + pulē 'gate'.
Rhymes
athenaeum, atheneum, coliseum, Liam, lyceum, mausoleum, museum, peritoneum, Te Deum
Definition of propylaeum in US English:
propylaeum
nounˌprɑpəˈliəmˌpräpəˈlēəm
Architecture 1The structure forming the entrance to a temple.
Example sentencesExamples
- These venturi formed ventilation flues and water storage tanks, together with the entrance propylaea and dramatic earth sculpture, demonstrating the effect the architects were seeking, ‘the earth rises and falls like a human breast’.
- Distantly inspired by the propylaea on the Acropolis in Athens, it was the first of the ceremonial Doric gateways to rise in modern Europe.
- 1.1the Propylaeum The entrance to the Acropolis at Athens.
Origin
Via Latin from Greek propulaion, neuter (used as a noun) of propulaios ‘before the gate’, from pro ‘before’ + pulē ‘gate’.