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serdab

noun
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ser·​dab | \ sə(r)ˈdäb \
plural -s

Definition of serdab

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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History and Etymology for serdab

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

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“Serdab.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serdab. Accessed 15 December 2019.

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