Pl. favissæ. [L. favissæ pl. underground cellars near the temples, used as store-houses.] (See quot.)
1730–6. Bailey (folio), Favissa [with Antiquaries], a hole, pit, or vault under ground, wherin some rarity of great value was kept.
1893. The Nation (N.Y.), 19 Jan., LVI. 53/2. The favissae of temples, the vaults in which were buried by the thousand terracotta or bronze objects which had been hung up on the temple walls as ‘ex-votos.’
