Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
vomitorium
noun
/ˌvɒmɪˈtɔːriəm/
Definition
A passageway in an ancient Roman amphitheater or theater that allowed the audience to enter and exit, enabling large crowds to go in and out efficiently.
Examples
- The Colosseum in Rome had multiple vomitoria, allowing thousands of spectators to exit quickly.
- In modern usage, the term is sometimes humorously used to describe places where people might overeat and then relieve themselves.
Meaning
The term vomitorium is often misunderstood; it does not refer to a place for vomiting but rather the architectural feature that facilitated crowd movement in entertainment venues of ancient Rome.
Synonyms
- Entrance
- Exit
