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pronaos

American  
[proh-ney-os] / proʊˈneɪ ɒs /

noun

plural

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


Etymology

Origin of pronaos

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As a rule, the whole space of the pronaos was without columns; contrary to the rule we here see it divided into three naves by means of two pairs of columns.

From Museum of Antiquity A Description of Ancient Life by Haines, T. L. (Thomas Louis)

An immense fore-court, or pronaos, soared on high with its pillars, a forest of pylons crowned by the roof, with its painted hieroglyphics.

From The Tour A Story of Ancient Egypt by Couperus, Louis

These return from the columns which stand third on the inner side to the antae which project from the pronaos, and which touch the edges of the hemicycle at right and left.

From The Ten Books on Architecture by Vitruvius Pollio

The temple consisted of an eastern cella with pronaos; behind this was the opisthodomos, divided into three chambers—possibly treasuries—with a portico at the western end.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 7 "Arundel, Thomas" to "Athens" by Various

Let the remaining three parts, constituting the pronaos, extend to the antae terminating the walls, which antae ought to be of the same thickness as the columns.

From The Ten Books on Architecture by Vitruvius Pollio