athenaeum

noun ath·e·nae·um \ˌa-thə-ˈnē-əm\

Definition of ATHENAEUM

: a building or room in which books, periodicals, and newspapers are kept for use

: a literary or scientific association

ath·e·nae·um or ath·e·ne·um \ˌa-thə-ˈnē-əm\

Latin Athenaeum, a school in ancient Rome for the study of arts, from Greek Athēnaion, a temple of Athena, from Athēnē

First Known Use: 1799

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