Amphitheater
/ˌæm.fɪˈθiː.ə.tər/noun
An oval or circular venue with seats rising all around a central space.
Did you know?The word comes from Greek roots meaning “on both sides” + “theater,” and Roman amphitheaters literally turned public spectacle into a 360° social machine.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰeh₂-
“to speak, tell, or show”
Ancient Greek
Greek
amphi- + theatron
“on both sides + a place for seeing”
Latin
Latin
amphitheatrum
“an oval or circular arena for viewing performances”
Late Latin / Old French
Latin / Old French
amphitheatrum / amphithéâtre
“the same term carried into medieval usage”
Modern English
English
amphitheater
“a building or outdoor venue with seats around a central performance area”
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