propylaeum
oxford
views updated Jun 11 2018propylaeum, propylon (pl. pro-pylaea, propyla). Imposing monumental entrance gateway leading to a temple, sacred court, or enclosure, such as a
battered gateway in front of Ancient Egyptian temple
pylon-towers, or the large
Doric gateway leading to the Athenian
acropolis.
A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture JAMES STEVENS CURL
propylaeum
oxford
views updated May 29 2018propylaeum entrance to a temple, etc.; introduction. XVIII. — L. — Gr.
propúlaion, sb. use of n. adj. ‘before the gate’, f.
PRO-2 +
púlē gate.
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD
