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catacomb

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(kat′ə kōm′)

noun

any of a series of vaults or galleries in an underground burial place: usually used in pl.

Origin: ME catacumb; ult. LL catacumba, pl. catacumbae, region between 2d & 3d milestones of the Appian Way, Catacombs; prob. by dissimilation < L cata tumbas, at the graves < cata (< Gr kata, down), by + tumbas, acc. pl. of tumba, tomb

See catacomb in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

An underground cemetery consisting of chambers or tunnels with recesses for graves. Often used in the plural.
An underground, often labyrinthine passageway.

Origin:

Origin: Probably French catacombe

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Late Latin catacumba

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