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temenos

temenos

1 9.9
A private space for quiet thought, creative work, or rest
  • noun
  • /ˈtɛmənɒs/
  • Literature
: temenos
  • Her study became a temenos where she could escape the noise of daily life.

Examples

  • He considered the old library his personal temenos for quiet reflection.

  • The garden served as a temenos for the artist.

  • Many artists create a mental temenos to nurture their creativity.

  • She found her temenos in the quiet corner of the library.

  • Her study became a temenos where she could escape the noise of daily life.

  • He considered the old library his personal temenos for quiet reflection.

  • Many artists create a mental temenos to nurture their creativity.

Synonyms

sanctuary
vstemenos
37 5.5

A holy part of a religious building around the altar

is a private secular refuge for thought and creativity rather than sacredness
enclosure
vstemenos
26 3.5

An area surrounded by a fence, wall, or natural feature

is a protected place for reflection and creativity rather than any enclosed area
rincon
vstemenos
  • US
1 9.9

A small quiet corner in nature to sit or rest

is a deliberately protected space for reflection rather than just a small corner
island of solitude
vstemenos
1 8.4

A quiet place where someone can be alone to think

focuses on protected creative or reflective space rather than mere isolation
penetralium
vstemenos
  • Archaic
1 9.9

The most secret inner part of a building or place

is a private protected space used for reflection rather than only secrecy

Antonyms

An open area in a town or city where people meet and events happen

How Private

sanctuary
142 4.1
temenos
  • Literature
1 9.9
nook
40 3.0
corner
241 4.2

Surface Forms

temenos singular
temenoses plural
temenoi plural

Etymology

Temenos comes from an old Greek verb temnein meaning 'to cut', because it named a place that was 'cut off' from the rest of the land. So a temenos today means a private, protected space for quiet, thought, or creativity.