gynaeceum

plural gynaeceums · plural gynaecea · alternative gynæceum · alternative gyneceum

1. Ancient RomeAncient GreeceThe women's quarters in a household; (hence, loosely) any building or area for women.

   It was agreeable to see men, after days in this gyneceum, bringing the place to life, to see waiters speeding to their command.

   1984, Anita Brookner, Hotel du Lac, Penguin, published 2016, page 61

   1 more example

   A master, however this may be, was very jealous of the inmates of his gyneceum, and he permitted no one to enter the place, which was protected as a sanctuary in the legislation of the Barbarians.

   1926, PL Jacob, History of Prostitution, page 249

   Synonyms: gynaeconitis

2. obsoleteAn establishment in Rome where female workers made clothing and furniture for royalty.
3. biologyA gynoecium.

   The androecium functions by providing the pollen-grains which are necessary to bring about fertilisation of the ovules in the gynaeceum.

   1929, Arthur Henry Reginald Buller, Practical Botany, page 205