Main Entry:

ath·e·nae·um

Variant(s):

or ath·e·ne·um \ˌa-thə-ˈnē-əm\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Latin Athenaeum, a school in ancient Rome for the study of arts, from Greek Athēnaion, a temple of Athena, from Athēnē

Date:

1799

1 : a building or room in which books, periodicals, and newspapers are kept for use 2 : a literary or scientific association