mastaba Hear it!

mastaba Definition

mas·taba (mas′tə bə)

noun

an oblong structure with a flat roof and sloping sides, built over the opening of a mummy chamber or burial pit in ancient Egypt and used as a tomb

Etymology: Ar maṣṭabah

mastaba Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • tomb: This new type of tomb is called a mastaba tomb, which is from the Arabic meaning bench or bench shaped.
  • bench: The courtyard is provided with mastaba benches around its walls, and its white plastered walls have a red line around its circumference.