Prŷt'a-nē'um, n.

n. [Lat., Gr. Πρυτανεῖον, from πρύ-τανις. See infra.] (Gr. Antiq.) A public hall in Athens regarded as the home of the city, in which the duties of hospitality were exercised, on behalf of the city, to its own citizens and strangers. Foreign embassadors were entertained there, and envoys on their return from a successful mission. The prytanes, and others to whom the privilege was granted, also took their meals there at the public cost.