nymphaeum

[ nim-fee-uhm ]

noun

, plural nym·phae·a [nim-, fee, -, uh].

1. a room or area having a fountain, statues, flowers, etc.
2. an architecturally treated outlet of a reservoir or aqueduct.

Word History and Origins

Origin of nymphaeum¹

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

The Nymphaeum was decagonal on plan, so that small pendentives were required to carry the brick dome.

From Project Gutenberg