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catacomb Definition

cata·comb (kat′ə kōm′)

noun

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

Etymology: 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

catacomb Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • visit: I am very much looking forward to visiting again the catacombs in Rome.
  • include: These include the catacombs of Rome, The River Styx and Inner Temple.

Adjective modifier

  • underground: As a Commando squad, players are tasked with infiltrating underground catacombs, sabotaging the separatists and even attempting assassination.
  • dark: The man who drew in the dark catacomb the secret symbol of Christ was persecuted in a very different fashion.
  • subterranean: Quickly, he and the villagers force it into subterranean catacomb.
  • vast: The churches are linked by carved channels and tunnels, which give the site the layout of a vast catacomb.

Modifies a noun

  • painting: A late catacomb painting represents a cross richly jeweled and adorned with flowers.
catacomb Quotes

It was a cruel city, but it was a lovely one, a savage city, yet it had such tenderness, a bitter, harsh, and violent catacomb of stone and steel and tunnelled rock, slashed savagely with light, and roaring, fighting a constant ceaseless warfare of men and machinery; and yet it was so sweetly and so delicately pulsed, as full of warmth, of passion, and of love, as it was full of hate.

—Wolfe,Thomas Clayton