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prettygoodwordTheme week! Since it's a short one for me and I've some short words on the list, it's time for another round of 4 x 4:
xyst (or xystus, xystos, or xystum) (zist) - n., (ancient Greek and Roman architecture) the covered portico of the gymnasium, used for exercising during inclement weather; (ancient Roman architecture) a garden walk planted with trees.
The Roman garden walk is from the sense of being a long covered area. The Greek exercise area is from xustos, smooth, from xuein, scrape/make smooth, from the polished floor -- and the xystarch was the guy in charge of keeping it that way. Adopted in English around 1660.
---L.
xyst (or xystus, xystos, or xystum) (zist) - n., (ancient Greek and Roman architecture) the covered portico of the gymnasium, used for exercising during inclement weather; (ancient Roman architecture) a garden walk planted with trees.
The Roman garden walk is from the sense of being a long covered area. The Greek exercise area is from xustos, smooth, from xuein, scrape/make smooth, from the polished floor -- and the xystarch was the guy in charge of keeping it that way. Adopted in English around 1660.
---L.
