triclinium

triclinium [trahy-klin-ee-uh m] ExamplesWord Origin noun, plural tri·clin·i·a [trahy-klin-ee-uh] /traɪˈklɪn i ə/. Roman History.

1. a couch extending along three sides of a table, for reclining on at meals.
2. a dining room, especially one containing such a couch.

Origin of triclinium 1640–50; Latin trīclīnium Greek triklī́nion, diminutive of tríklīnos having three couches (adj.), dining room so furnished (noun), equivalent to tri- tri- + klī́n(ē) couch (see clinic) + -ion diminutive suffix Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019 Examples from the Web for triclinium Historical Examples of triclinium

Caligula himself led the way to the triclinium and Dea Flavia followed him.

“Unto Caesar”

Baroness Emmuska Orczy

At the bottom of the peristyle, on the right, is a triclinium.

Museum of Antiquity

L. W. Yaggy

Here is a triclinium with three beds and other conveniences.

Museum of Antiquity

L. W. Yaggy

There was also a cistern at the end of the portico, next the triclinium.

Museum of Antiquity

L. W. Yaggy

And then, placing an arm on the shoulders of his nephew, he conducted him to the triclinium.

Quo Vadis

Henryk Sienkiewicz

British Dictionary definitions for triclinium triclinium noun plural -ia (-ɪə) (in ancient Rome)

1. an arrangement of three couches around a table for reclining upon while dining
2. a dining room, esp one containing such an arrangement of couches

Word Origin for triclinium C17: from Latin, from Greek triklinion, from tri- + klinē a couch Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012