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amphitheater

 - 3 dictionary results

am⋅phi⋅the⋅a⋅ter

  [am-fuh-thee-uh-ter, -theeuh-ter]
Use amphitheater in a Sentence
–noun
1. an oval or round building with tiers of seats around a central open area, as those used in ancient Rome for gladiatorial contests.
2. any similar place for public contests, games, performances, exhibitions, etc.; an arena, stadium, or auditorium.
3. a room having tiers of seats arranged around a central area, in which students and other observers can view surgery, hear lectures, etc.
4. British.
a. the first section of seats in the gallery of a theater.
b. a designated section of seats in any part of a theater.
5. a level area of oval or circular shape surrounded by rising ground.
Also, am⋅phi⋅the⋅a⋅tre.

Origin:
1540–50; < L amphitheātrum < Gk amphithéātron. See amphi-, theater

Related forms:
am⋅phi⋅the⋅at⋅ric  [am-fuh-thee-a-trik] , am⋅phi⋅the⋅at⋅ri⋅cal, adjective
am⋅phi⋅the⋅at⋅ri⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To amphitheater
am·phi·the·a·ter   (ām'fə-thē'ə-tər)   
n.  

  1. An oval or round structure having tiers of seats rising gradually outward from a central open space or arena.

  2. An arena where contests and spectacles are held.

  3. A level area surrounded by upward sloping ground.

  4. An upper, sloping gallery with seats for spectators, as in a theater or operating room.


[Middle English amphitheatre, from Latin amphitheātrum, from Greek amphitheātron : amphi-, amphi- + theātron, theater; see theater.]
am'phi·the·at'ric (-āt'rĭk), am'phi·the·at'ri·cal adj., am'phi·the·at'ri·cal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

amphitheater 
1546, from L. amphitheatrum, from Gk. amphitheatron, neut. of amphitheatros "with spectators all around," from amphi- "on both sides" + theatron "theater," from theasthai "watch, look at." Classical theaters were semi-circles, thus two together made an amphitheater.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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