athenaeum Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a literary or scientific association for the promotion of learning
    atheneum.
  2. noun a place where reading materials are available
    atheneum.

WordNet

Ath`e*ne"um, Ath`e*næ"um noun (Also<
  • Athenaeum
  • Atheneum
  • Athenæum
)
Etymology
L. Athenaemum, Gr. a temple of Minerva at Athens, fr. , contr. fr. , , in Homer , , Athene (called Minerva by the Romans), the tutelary goddess of Athens.
Wordforms
plural E Atheneums L Athenæadjective
Definitions
  1. (Gr. Antiq.) A temple of Athene, at Athens, in which scholars and poets were accustomed to read their works and instruct students.
  2. A school founded at Rome by Hadrian.
  3. A literary or scientific association or club.
  4. A building or an apartment where a library, periodicals, and newspapers are kept for use.

Webster 1913