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