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serdab

noun ser·dab \ sə(r)ˈdäb \

Definition of serdab

plural -s
1 : a narrow chamber of the ancient Egyptian mastaba either concealed or accessible only by a narrow passage and containing a statue of the deceased
2 : a living room in the basement of a house in the Near East that provides coolness during the summer months

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Origin and Etymology of serdab

Arabic sirdāb cellar, underground vault, from Persian sardāb ice cellar, from sard cold + āb water

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