Etymology From Latin Athenaeum, from Ancient Greek Ᾰ̓θήναιον (Ăthḗnaion), from Ἀθήνη (Athḗnē, “Athene”).
1
Alternative Alternative form of Athenaeum: a temple primarily dedicated to Athena or her Roman equivalent Minerva.
2
An association or institution for the advancement of learning, particularly in science or literature.
A panel of architects who might loosely be described as the local athenaeum of their profession are awaiting, anxiously, the next edition of the bimonthly journal that bears their names.1994 June 3, Michael Miner, “Will This Man Save Inland Architect?/A Simple Process”, in Chicago Reader:
3
The reading room or library of such an association; (by extension) any reading room or library.
And this, too, may have been not unconnected with the gracious influence of the other sex as exhibited in a neighbouring athenaeum; and was accompanied by a gruesome spate of florid lyrics: some (happily) secret, and some exposed with needless hardihood in a college magazine.1921, Christopher Morley, Plum Pudding:
4
A literary or scientific periodical, especially one similar to the London Athenaeum.
Athenaeum
noun
Etymology Borrowed from Latin Athenaeum, from Ancient Greek Ᾰ̓θήναιον (Ăthḗnaion), from Ἀθήνη (Athḗnē, “Athene”).
1
A temple primarily dedicated to Athena or her Roman equivalent Minerva, especially that of Athens.
The Athenaea were built in form of Amphitheatres.1728, Ephraim Chambers, Cyclopaedia, s.v. "Athenaeum"
2
Alternative Alternative form of athenaeum: a literary or scientific club, especially that of Boston.
“O Grandfather, tell us all about that Indian Bible!” exclaimed Laurence. “I have seen it in the library of the Athenaeum; and the tears came into my eyes to think that there were no Indians left to read it.”1840, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Grandfather's Chair:
Among the prominent buildings is the Athenaeum, containing a reading-room and library.1893, Thomas Bailey Aldrich, An Old Town By The Sea:
3
Alternative Alternative form of athenaeum: the reading room or library of such clubs, especially the London Athenaeum Club.
4
Alternative Alternative form of athenaeum: a literary or scientific periodical, especially the London Athenaeum.