catacomb
An underground system of tunnels and chambers with recesses for graves, used as a cemeteryAn underground system of tunnels and chambers with recesses for graves, used (in former times) as a cemetery; a tunnel system used for burying the dead, as in Paris or Ancient Rome.
» We discovered a secret passageway leading to the catacombs.
Wir entdeckten einen Geheimgang zu den Katakomben.
Мы нашли тайный проход, ведущий к катакомбам.
Meaning
1 senses(often, plural)An underground system of tunnels and chambers with recesses for graves, used (in former times) as a cemetery; a tunnel system used for burying the dead, as in Paris or Ancient Rome.
Meronyms: crypt, ossuary
Katakombe
катако́мбаkatakómba
an underground tunnel with recesses where bodies were buried (as in ancient Rome)
Examples
7 sentencesWe discovered a secret passageway leading to the catacombs.
ruМы нашли тайный проход, ведущий к катакомбам.
deWir entdeckten einen Geheimgang zu den Katakomben.
The catacombs of Paris are famous, but a bit gloomy.
deDie Katakomben von Paris sind berühmt, aber etwas düster.
My idea of a nice vacation isn't lounging in a smelly catacomb.
Miroslav returned to the catacombs.
Tom can find many interesting tidbits of knowledge when exploring the catacombs of the encyclopedia.
Translations
7 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 1
Origin
From Middle English catacombe, from Old English catacumbe, catacumbas pl, from Late LatinFrom Middle English catacombe, from Old English catacumbe, catacumbas pl, from Late Latin catacumbae pl, name of the underground cemetery of St. Sebastian in Rome, of unclear origin. Perhaps a dissimilation (influenced by *cumbō (“to lie, recline”)) of Late Latin cata tumbās (literally “among the tombs”) (from Ancient Greek κατά (katá, “under”) and τύμβος (túmbos, “tomb”)). Some sources suggest Ancient Greek κύμβη (kúmbē, “drinking vessel”) as an alternative etymon, but the semantic link is unclear.
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