adytum
9.9
Most holy inner part of a very old temple where only priests can go
- noun
- /ˈædɪtəm/
- Archaic
:
adyto
- The adytum was considered the holiest part of the temple, accessible only to the chosen few.
Examples
-
During the festival, the people marveled at the beauty of the temple's adytum adorned with sacred symbols.
-
The priests gathered in the adytum to perform the ancient rituals.
-
"How could you have forgotten?" She rested her hands on the rough stone of the adytum.
Fiction book (1994) -
If he wanted to kill Elam, the real Elam, the adytum lay in his power.
Fiction book (1994)
Synonyms
9.9
The deepest and most sacred part of a temple where only priests can enter
is the inner sacred space in classical temples reserved for priests only
9.9
Inner room of a temple where a statue of a god stands
is the most sacred inner area specifically reserved for priests only
Surface Forms
Etymology
Adytum comes from the Greek word adyton, built from a- 'not' and a part meaning 'to enter', so it originally meant 'not to be entered by ordinary people'. That's why an adytum was the innermost, most sacred room of a temple where only priests could go.
