Amphitheatre

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Amphitheater \Am`phi*the"a*ter\, Amphitheatre
  \Am`phi*the"a*tre\,, n. [L. amphitheatrum, fr. Gr. ?; 'amfi` + ?
     theater: cf. F. amphith['e][^a]tre. See {Theater}.]
     1. An oval or circular building with rising tiers of seats
        about an open space called the arena.
        [1913 Webster]


  
     Note: The Romans first constructed amphitheaters for combats
           of gladiators and wild beasts.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Anything resembling an amphitheater in form; as, a level
        surrounded by rising slopes or hills, or a rising gallery
        in a theater.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  amphitheatre
       n 1: a sloping gallery with seats for spectators (as in an
            operating room or theater) [syn: {amphitheater}]
       2: an oval large stadium with tiers of seats; an arena in which
          contests and spectacles are held [syn: {amphitheater}, {coliseum}]