catacomb
English
Etymology
From Old English [Term?], from Late Latin catacumbas, name of the underground cemetery of St. Sebastian in Rome, dissimilation of Latin cata- (“among”) (from Ancient Greek κατά (katá, “under”)) + tumbas (from Ancient Greek τύμβος (túmbos, “swell”)).
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 360: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "UK" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈkætəkuːm/, /ˈkætəkəʊm/
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 360: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈkætəkoʊm/
Noun
catacomb (plural catacombs)
- (often plural) An underground system of tunnels and chambers with recesses for graves, used (in former times) as a cemetery; a tunnel system used for burying the dead, as in Paris or Ancient Rome.
Translations
underground system of tunnels and chambers with recesses for graves
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