peristyle

Meanings

1. A colonnade surrounding a courtyard, temple, etc., or the yard enclosed by such columns.
2. A porch surrounded by columns.
3. A sacred roofed courtyard with a central pillar (the potomitan), used as a space for voodoo ceremonies, either alone or as an adjunct to an enclosed temple or altar-room.

Etymology

From French péristyle, from Classical Latin peristȳlum, from περίστυλον (perístulon), from περι- (peri-, “around”) + στῦλος (stûlos, “pillar”). peri- + -style.