exedra

[ ek-si-druh, ek-see- ]

/ ˈɛk sɪ drə, ɛkˈsi- /

(in ancient Greece and Rome) a room or covered area open on one side, used as a meeting place.

a permanent outdoor bench, semicircular in plan and having a high back.

Also exhedra.

Origin of exedra

1700–10; < Latin: hall furnished with seats < Greek exédra (covered) walk with seats, equivalent to ex- ex-³ + ( h)édra seat, bench

ex·e·dral, adjective

To the right of the œcus, at the end of the court, is half hidden a smaller and less obtrusive apartment, probably an exedra.

The Wonders of Pompeii |Marc Monnier
The idler in the exedra, meanwhile, was awaiting the speech of her visitor.

The City of Delight |Elizabeth Miller
The adjoining triclinium, entered by a door from the exedra, had also three paintings, one of which however is almost destroyed.

Museum of Antiquity |L. W. Yaggy
In shelter behind the exedra she halted, fended from him by the marble seat.

The City of Delight |Elizabeth Miller

He led her to the exedra, unslung his wallet and laid it on the lectern before them.

The City of Delight |Elizabeth Miller

exedra

/ (ˈɛksɪdrə, ɛkˈsiː-) /

a building, room, portico, or apse containing a continuous bench, used in ancient Greece and Rome for holding discussions

an outdoor bench in a recess

C18: via Latin from Greek, from hedra seat