hemicycle

[ hem-i-sahy-kuhl ]

noun

1. a semicircle.
2. a semicircular structure.
3. hemicyclium.

hemicycle

/ -ˈsɪk-; ˈhɛmɪˌsaɪkəl; ˌhɛmɪˈsaɪklɪk /

noun

1. a semicircular structure, room, arena, wall, etc
2. a rare word for semicircle

Derived Forms

• hemicyclic, adjective

Other Words From

• hem·i·cy·clic [hem-i-, sahy, -klik, -, sik, -lik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hemicycle¹

1595–1605; < French hémicycle < Latin hēmicyclium < Greek hēmikýklion See hemi-, cycle

Example Sentences

In the hemicycle the committee benches had disappeared; they had run parallel to the sections on the arc of a circle.

From Project Gutenberg

The hemicycle became the apse; the gallery, a clerestory; the hall, a central nave.

From Project Gutenberg

Above the terrace of the recesses, rose that of the Hemicycle.

From Project Gutenberg

In the hemicycle above are the Virgin and Child under a Byzantine canopy with angels and founders on either side.

From Project Gutenberg

His greatest work, however, and one which won him much fame, is his well-known Hemicycle in the Beaux Arts (p. 319).

From Project Gutenberg