pronaos

[ proh-ney-os ]

noun

, plural pro·na·oi [proh-, ney, -oi].

1. (in a classical temple) an open vestibule before the cella.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pronaos¹

From the Greek word prónāos, dating back to 1605–15. See pro- ², naos

Example Sentences

Pronaos, prō-nā′os, n. the open porch in front of a temple.

From Project Gutenberg

There was in large temples a porch of approach, the pronaos, and another behind, the opisthodomos.

From Project Gutenberg

Fragment of the capital of one of the Doric columns of the pronaos or opisthodomos, including the lower part of the echinus, and the upper part of the flutings.

From Project Gutenberg

The temple consisted of a central cella with a pronaos and opisthodomos, and was surrounded by a Doric colonnade, having six columns at the ends and fifteen columns at the sides.

From Project Gutenberg

The pronaos and opisthodomos were each bounded by two Doric columns between antae, surmounted by metopes.

From Project Gutenberg