athenæum

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A temple or a place dedicated to Athene, or Minerva; specifically, an institution founded at Rome by Hadrian for the promotion of literary and scientific studies, and imitated in the provinces.
2. n. [lowercase: pl. athenœa, athenea (-ä).] In modern times, an institution for the encouragement of literature and art, often possessing a library for the use of those entitled to its privileges.