Catacomb
['kætəkuːm;-kəʊm]
Definition
(noun.) an underground tunnel with recesses where bodies were buried (as in ancient Rome).
Editor: Spence--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A cave, grotto, or subterraneous place of large extent used for the burial of the dead; -- commonly in the plural.
Checked by Bernie
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Crypt, vault, tomb.
Editor: Moore
Definition
n. a subterranean excavation used as a burial-place esp. the famous Catacombs near Rome where many of the early Christian victims of persecution were buried: any place built with crypt-like recesses for storing books wine &c.—adj. Cat′acumbal.
Checked by Aurora
Examples
- We have been in the catacombs. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- The ruins of Caesar's Palace, Pompey's Pillar, Cleopatra's Needle, the Catacombs, and ruins of ancient Alexandria will be found worth the visit. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- We did not go through all the passages of all the catacombs. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- In the catacombs were buried St. Cecilia, St. Agnes, and several other of the most celebrated of the saints. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- A careful estimate makes the length of the passages of all the catacombs combined foot up nine hundred miles, and their graves number seven millions. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- One Pope afterward spent his entire pontificate in the catacombs--eight years. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
Checked by Judith