Athenaeum

2 definitions found

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

  Atheneum \Ath`e*ne"um\, Athenaeum \Ath`e*n[ae]"um\, n.; pl. E.
     {Atheneums}, L. {Athen[ae]a}. [L. Athenaeum, Gr. 'Aqhn`aion a
     temple of Minerva at Athens, fr. 'Aqhna^, contr. fr.
     'Aqhna`a, 'Aqhnai`a, in Homer 'Aqh`nh, 'Aqhnai`n, Athene
     (called Minerva by the Romans), the tutelary goddess of
     Athens.]


     1. (Gr. Antiq.) A temple of Athene, at Athens, in which
        scholars and poets were accustomed to read their works and
        instruct students.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A school founded at Rome by Hadrian.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. A literary or scientific association or club.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. A building or an apartment where a library, periodicals,
        and newspapers are kept for use.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  athenaeum
       n 1: a literary or scientific association for the promotion of
            learning [syn: {atheneum}]
       2: a place where reading materials are available [syn: {atheneum}]