nymphaeum

American  

[nim-fee-uhm] / nɪmˈfi əm /

noun

plural

nymphaea

1. a room or area having a fountain, statues, flowers, etc.

2. an architecturally treated outlet of a reservoir or aqueduct.

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Etymology

Origin of nymphaeum

1760–70; < Latin < Greek nymphaîon place sacred to nymphs, noun use of neuter of nymphaîos, equivalent to nýmph ( ē ) nymph + -aios adj. suffix

Example Sentences

In fact, its a nymphaeum – a fancy water feature belonging to the Emperor Commodus.

From National Geographic • Apr. 15, 2023

Next Thing: She can’t reveal much, but she plans to construct a modern-day nymphaeum in Florence, Italy — a natural grotto devoted to nymphs used by Ancient Greeks and Romans.

From New York Times • Oct. 9, 2021

‘Uh, that semicircular depression in the hill, with the niches ... that’s a nymphaeum, built in Roman times.’

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan

Now, in the nymphaeum in Rome, as the dark water rose to her waist, Piper wondered why the river god Achelous had mentioned that story.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan

She still had nightmares about the nymphaeum and the hypogeum under Rome.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan