propylaeum
[ prop-uh-lee-uh m ]
/ ˌprɒp əˈli əm /
noun, plural prop·y·lae·a [prop-uh-lee-uh] /ˌprɒp əˈli ə/.
Often propylaea.
a vestibule or entrance to a temple area or other enclosure, especially when elaborate or of architectural importance.
Also
propylon.
Origin of propylaeum
1700–10; < Latin < Greek
propýlaion gateway, noun use of neuter of
propýlaios before the gate, equivalent to
pro-
pro-2 +
pýl(ē) gate +
-aios adj. suffix
Words nearby propylaeum
propyl,
propyl alcohol,
propyl aldehyde,
propyl group,
propyla,
propylaeum,
propylene,
propylene glycol,
propylene group,
propylhexedrine,
propylic
Example sentences from the Web for propylaeum
At Frankfort the dead-house occupies one of the wings of the propylaeum, which forms the main entrance to the cemetery.
These, with the Propylaeum, before mentioned, come out wonderfully against a blue sky.
Saunterings |Charles Dudley WarnerMagazines with fine painted store jars came to light beneath the floor of the later “propylaeum.”
Here the visitor found another portal or propylaeum of a magnificent character.
British Dictionary definitions for propylaeum
propylaeum
propylon (ˈprɒpɪˌlɒn)
/ (ˌprɒpɪˈliːəm) /
noun plural -laea (-ˈliːə), -lons or -la
a portico, esp one that forms the entrance to a temple
Word Origin for propylaeum
C18: via Latin from Greek
propulaion before the gate, from
pro- ² +
pulē gate