catacomb

Meaning

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.

Synonyms

crypt

tomb

vault

underground cemetery

Translations

Katakombe

catacomba

catacumba

catacombe

catacombe

catacumba

catacumba

κατακόμβη

catacumbas

catacumbes

katakomp

Nekropole

Totenstadt

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈkætəkuːm/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: catacombe

In summary

From Middle English catacombe, from Old English catacumbe, catacumbas pl, from Late Latin catacumbae pl, name of the underground cemetery of St. Sebastian in Rome, of unclear origin. Perhaps a dissimilation (influenced by *cumbō (“to lie, recline”)) of Late Latin cata tumbās (literally “among the tombs”) (from Ancient Greek κατά (katá, “under”) and τύμβος (túmbos, “tomb”)). Some sources suggest Ancient Greek κύμβη (kúmbē, “drinking vessel”) as an alternative etymon, but the semantic link is unclear.