propylaeum
- noun
- /ˌprɒpɪˈleɪəm/
- Specialized
:
propylaeum
- The ancient propylaeum marked the entrance to the sacred temple complex.
Examples
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Visitors admired the grand columns of the propylaeum as they entered the archaeological site.
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The architect designed a modern building inspired by the classical propylaeum of Athens.
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The grand propylaeum welcomed visitors to the ancient temple.
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Can you see the propylaeum at the end of the path?
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The ancient propylaeum marked the entrance to the sacred temple complex.
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Visitors admired the grand columns of the propylaeum as they entered the archaeological site.
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The grand propylaeum welcomed visitors to the ancient temple.
Synonyms
8
7.9
A covered entrance to a building with columns like a porch
1
6.1
A large arch that people build to celebrate a victory or important event
How Grand
Surface Forms
Morphology
propylaeum = pro + pyl + aeum
A learned borrowing from Greek; the components ('pro-', 'pyl-') are not productive or familiar to average learners, so the meaning cannot be derived from common English base words.
Etymology
Propylaeum comes from Greek parts pro- meaning 'before' and pyle meaning 'gate', the same root found in the English word pylon. So a propylaeum is literally the gate that stands 'before' a temple or important building, which is why it means a grand entrance.