gymnasium 1
— gymnasial , adj.
/jim nay"zee euhm/ , n. , pl. gymnasiums, gymnasia /-zee euh, -zheuh/ .
1. a building or room designed and equipped for indoor sports, exercise, or physical education.
2. a place where Greek youths met for exercise and discussion.
[ 1590-1600; gymnásion gymnastic school (deriv. of gymnázein to train in the nude ]
gymnasium 2
/gim nah"zee euhm/ , n. , pl. gymnasiums, gymnasia /-zee euh/ .
( often cap. ) (in continental Europe, esp. Germany) a classical school preparatory to the universities.
[ 1685-95; 1 ]