Ăth'e-nē'um or Ăth'e-næ'um, n.
n.; pl. Eng. ĂTH'E-NĒ'UMS, Lat. ĂTH'E-NÆ'A. [Lat. Athenæum, Gr. Ἀθηναῖον, a temple of Minerva at Athens, in which scholars and poets were accustomed to read their works, from Ἀθηνᾶ, contr. from Ἀθηναία, in Homer Ἀθήνη, Ἀθηναίη, Athena, called Minerva by the Romans, the tutelary goddess of Athens.]
Sense 1. (Gr. Antiq.) A gymnasium in ancient Athens, dedicated to Minerva, where poets, philosophers, and rhetoricians were in the habit of assembling to repeat their compositions, and instruct youth.
Sense 2. An association of persons of literary or scientific tastes, for the purpose of mutual improvement.
Sense 3. A building or an apartment where a library, periodicals, and newspapers are kept for public use.