hypogeum

[ hahy-puh-jee-uh m, hip-uh- ]
/ ˌhaɪ pəˈdʒi əm, ˌhɪp ə- /

noun, plural hy·po·ge·a [hahy-puh-jee-uh, hip-uh-] /ˌhaɪ pəˈdʒi ə, ˌhɪp ə-/.

Ancient Architecture. the underground part of a building, as a vault.
an underground burial chamber.

Origin of hypogeum

1700–10; < Latin hypogēum < Greek hypógeion underground chamber (neuter of hypógeios underground), equivalent to hypo- hypo- + earth + -ion neuter adj. suffix

Example sentences from the Web for hypogea

British Dictionary definitions for hypogea

hypogeum
/ (ˌhaɪpəˈdʒiːəm) /

noun plural -gea (-ˈdʒiːə)

an underground vault, esp one used for burials

Word Origin for hypogeum

C18: from Latin, from Greek hupogeion; see hypogeal