lyceum

Meanings

1. A public hall designed for lectures, readings, or concerts.
2. A school, especially European, at a stage between elementary school and college, a lycée.
3. An association for literary improvement.

1. An ancient Greek temple in Athens dedicated to Apollo Lyceus.

Etymology

From Latin Lyceum, from Ancient Greek Λύκειον (Lúkeion) (the name of a gymnasium, or athletic training facility, near Athens where Aristotle established his school), from Λύκειος, from Proto-Greek *λύκη), "light." The meaning of the epithet "Lyceus" later became associated with Apollo's mother Leto, who was the patron goddess of Lycia (Λυκία) and who was identified with the wolf (λύκος). Doublet of lycée and Lyceum.