ˈtrezh(ə)rē, ˈtrāzh-, -ri noun
( -es )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English tresorie, tresourie, from Old French tresorie, from tresor treasure + -ie -y — more at treasure
1.
a. : a place (as a room or building) in which stores of wealth or valuable objects are kept
in the treasury of the cathedral … there is a fine, whole, uncut chasuble — Daniel Rock
b. : the place of deposit and disbursement of collected funds ; especially : one where public revenues are deposited, kept, and disbursed
c. : the funds (as of a government, business corporation, or individual) kept or held to be kept in such a depository
2. obsolete : treasure
thy sumptuous buildings … have cost a mass of public treasury — Shakespeare
3. usually capitalized
a. : a governmental department having charge of finances (as the collection, management, and expenditure of public revenues)
b. : the building in which the business of such a government department is transacted
4. : treasure-house 2
the old house, a treasury of beams and paneling — Thomas Wood †1950
edited another collection and called it Treasury of Science — G.I.Schwartz
5. : the weekly payment of a theatrical company
6. usually capitalized : a government security (as a note or bill) issued by or under the authority of the Treasury
a decline in Treasuries and … corporate bonds — Magazine of Wall Street
7. often capitalized
a. : an ancient Greek building for archives and treasures located near a sanctuary
b. : beehive tomb