pulvinar

[ puhl-vahy-ner ]

noun

, plural pul·vi·nar·i·a [puhl-v, uh, -, nair, -ee-, uh].

1. (in ancient Rome)
   1. a cushioned couch kept in readiness for any visitation of a god.
   2. a cushioned seat at a circus.
2. Also called pulvinus. (on an Ionic capital) either of two convex forms having on their ends two of the volutes.

adjective

1. pulvinate ( def 3 ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of pulvinar¹

1590–1600; (noun) < Latin pulvīnar cushioned couch, equivalent to pulvīn ( us ) cushion + -ar, shortening of -āre, neuter of āris -ar ¹; (adj.) pulvin(us) + -ar ¹

Example Sentences

But I do not approve of his witnessing the Circensian games from the Pulvinar.

From Project Gutenberg

And upon taking his wife again, after the divorce, he declared by proclamation, "that he had recalled her to his pulvinar."

From Project Gutenberg