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

Example sentences from the Web for propylaeum

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