Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Nymphaeum

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Rich, Anthony (1849). The illustrated companion to the Latin dictionary, and Greek lexicon. p. vi. OCLC 894670115. https://archive.org/details/illustratedcompa00rich. 

NYMPHAE'UM or NYMPHE'UM (Νύμφαιον or Νυμφαῖον). Literally, a building dedicated to the Nymphs (Plin. H. N. xxxv. 43.); by which was understood a grand and lofty chamber, decorated with columns, statues, and pictures, and having a stream of spring water gushing from a fountain in its centre (Liban. Antioch. p. 372.), so as to form a cool and agreeable retreat for the resort of a luxurious population. (Philostr. iv. 8.) Many edifices of this description are enumerated by P. Victor (Urb. Rom.) in the city of Rome; and other writers generally speak of them in connection with the Thermae (Ammian. xv. 7. 3. Capitol. Gord. 32. Cod. Theodos. et Valent. 11. 42. 5. and 6.), to which establishments an apartment of the character described would form a most appropriate appendage.