arcosolium

[ ahr-kuh-soh-lee-uhm ]

noun

, plural ar·co·so·li·a [ahr-k, uh, -, soh, -lee-, uh].

1. (in Roman catacombs) an arched recess for a sarcophagus.

Word History and Origins

Origin of arcosolium¹

1875–80; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin arc ( us ) arc + -o- -o- + solium sarcophagus

Example Sentences

It is a painting on the vaulted roof of an arcosolium in the cemetery of St. Priscilla, and it is reproduced in the work before us in its original size.

From Project Gutenberg

Opening out of the gallery close by is a chamber which was apparently used as a chapel; its arcosolium has marks of an altar remaining at the top of the grave, and near it is a credence-table; the roof is richly painted,—in the central compartment is our Lord seated between the rolls of the Old and New Testament.

From Project Gutenberg

Above the arcosolium, in the place of honour, is our Saviour as the Good Shepherd, bearing a sheep upon his shoulders, and standing between other sheep and trees;—in the other compartments are Daniel in the lions' den, the Three Children in the furnace, Moses taking off his shoes, Moses striking the rock, and—nearest the entrance—the Paralytic carrying his bed.

From Project Gutenberg

Within an arcosolium is a tablet set up by “Aurelius Ampliatus and his son Gordian, to Aurelia Bonifatia, his incomparable wife, a woman of true chastity, who lived 25 years, 2 months, 4 days, and 2 hours.”

From Project Gutenberg

Other forms of very frequent recurrence are the table tomb and arched tomb, or arcosolium.

From Project Gutenberg