a literary or scientific association for the promotion of learning
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a place where reading materials are available
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Atheneum \Ath`e*ne"um\, Athenaeum \Ath`e*n[ae]"um\, n.; pl. E. {Atheneums}, L. {Athen[ae]a}. [L. Athenaeum, Gr. 'Aqhn`aion a temple of Minerva at Athens, fr. 'Aqhna^, contr. fr. 'Aqhna`a, 'Aqhnai`a, in Homer 'Aqh`nh, 'Aqhnai`n, Athene (called Minerva by the Romans), the tutelary goddess of Athens.] 1. (Gr. Antiq.) A temple of Athene, at Athens, in which scholars and poets were accustomed to read their works and instruct students.
2. A school founded at Rome by Hadrian.
3. A literary or scientific association or club.
4. A building or an apartment where a library, periodicals, and newspapers are kept for use.