Catacomb - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A catacomb is an underground burial place with tunnels and chambers, often used in ancient times. It is associated with tombs, history, and sometimes religious significance.
Definition:
Underground burial chambers with tunnels and recesses for tombs.
Synonyms:
crypt, tomb, sepulcher, catacombs (plural)
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
surface cemetery, aboveground tomb
Common Collocations:
ancient catacombs, explore catacombs, Paris catacombs, dark catacombs, labyrinthine catacombs
Derivatives:
catacombal (rare), catacombic (rare)
Usage Tips:
Use "catacomb" to describe historic underground burial sites, often plural ("catacombs").
Common Phrases:
lost in the catacombs, the depths of the catacombs, eerie as a catacomb
Etymology:
From Latin "catacumba," likely referring to underground cemeteries near Rome.
Examples:
- 1. The ancient catacombs stretch for miles beneath the city.
- 2. Tourists often visit the Paris catacombs for their eerie atmosphere.
- 3. The archaeologists discovered a hidden chamber in the catacomb.
- 4. Legends say ghosts haunt these dark and winding catacombs.