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triclinium

 - 2 dictionary results

tri⋅clin⋅i⋅um

  [trahy-klin-ee-uhm]
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–noun, plural -clin⋅i⋅a  [-klin-ee-uh] . Roman History.
1. a couch extending along three sides of a table, for reclining on at meals.
2. a dining room, esp. one containing such a couch.
Origin:
1640–50; < L trīclīnium < Gk triklnion, dim. of tríklīnos having three couches (adj.), dining room so furnished (n.), equiv. to tri- tri- + kln(ē) couch (see clinic ) + -ion dim. suffix
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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tri·clin·i·um   (trī-klĭn'ē-əm)   
n.   pl. tri·clin·i·a (-ē-ə)

  1. A couch facing three sides of a rectangular table, used by the ancient Greeks, Etruscans, and Romans for reclining at meals.

  2. A room containing such a couch or couches; a dining room.


[Latin trīclīnium, from Greek triklīnion, diminutive of triklīnos, room with three couches : tri-, three; see trei- in Indo-European roots + klīnē, couch; see klei- in Indo-European roots.]
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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