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thermae

thermae

9.9
Large public baths in ancient Rome where people bathed, relaxed, and met
  • noun
  • /ˈθɜrmiˌ/
  • Archaic
translation icon : termas
  • Thermae
  • Roman thermae

Examples

  • Also, Inge Nielsen, Thermae et Balnea: The Architecture and Cultural History of Roman Public Baths (Aarhus: Aarhus University Press, 1990), 144.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Thermae Romae, Hideki Takeuchi, Japan North American Premiere. Ancient Roman architect Lucius (Hiroshi Abe) is too serious.

    Blog text (13)
  • People gathered to socialize and relax at the large thermae of ancient Rome.

  • The majestic thermae offered a place for Romans to bathe and enjoy leisure activities.

  • In ancient Rome, the public thermae were bustling centers of community life and hygiene.

Synonyms

bagnio
vsthermae
  • Archaic
9.9

A building with public baths used in the past, often in Mediterranean areas

is the large Roman complex rather than a general Mediterranean bath building
banya
vsthermae
9.9

A traditional Russian steam bath where people go to wash, warm up, and relax

focuses on steam bathing rituals rather than being a large public Roman bathing complex

How Big

thermae
  • Archaic
9.9
bathhouse
24 3.0
spa
161 1.0
tub
  • Archaic
33 1.5

Surface Forms

thermae singular
thermae plural

Etymology

The word thermae comes from the Greek root thermos, which means 'hot', and the Romans used it for their large public hot baths. You can see the same root in English words like thermal and thermometer, which are about heat. That's why thermae were places for warm bathing, social life, and relaxation.