Also 6–9 erron. Lycæum. [a. L. Lycēum, ad. Gr. Λύκειον, neut. of Λύκειος epithet of Apollo, to whose temple the Lyceum was adjacent. Cf. F. lycée, Sp., It. liceo.]
1. (With capital L.) The proper name of a garden with covered walks at Athens, in which Aristotle taught his philosophy. Hence, the Aristotelian philosophy and its adherents.
1579–80. North, Plutarch, Sylla (1595), 504. He feld down all the wood of the parke Lycæum.
1638. R. Baker, trans. Balzac’s Lett. (vol. II.), 79. He makes use of them [riches] after the manner of the Academy, and of the Lyceum, which never thought them impediments to happinesse.
1671. Milton, P. R., IV. 253. Within the walls then view The schools of ancient sages … Lyceum there, and painted Stoa next.
1744. Akenside, Pleas. Imag., I. 591. Guide my way Through fair Lycéum’s walk, the green retreats Or Academus [etc.].
1838. Thirlwall, Greece, II. ii. 63. The Lyceum, a garden at a short distance from Athens, sacred to the Lycian Apollo.
1901. Lawson, Remin. Dollar Acad., 29. He might have been taken for a resuscitated Grecian philosopher hastening to meet his pupils at the Lyceum.
b. transf.
1727–46. Thomson, Summer, 1393. To Nature’s vast Lyceum, forth they walk.
1809. Ann. Reg., 238. It seemed as if all the animal creation had been assembled in Covent Garden, as in a capacious lyceum.
2. Used allusively as the proper name of certain places of study or instruction. a. In Italy and Switzerland, the Latin title of certain universities or colleges (It. Liceo, F. Lycée). b. = F. Lycée, the name of an institution (afterwards called Athénée) founded at Paris in 1786, at which lectures on literature and science were delivered by eminent professors. c. In England, adopted as the title of many literary institutions established in the early part of the 19th c., and of the buildings erected for them, usually including lecture-rooms and class-rooms and a library.
1786. Gentl. Mag., LVI. I. 262/1. A literary establishment has lately been opened at Paris under the title of the Lyceum, where lectures are read by the following professors…. The Lyceum is to open every day, morning and evening, and each professor is to read two hours in each week.
1832. G. Downes, Lett. Cont. Countries, I. xi. 159. (Zurich) Close by is the Lyceum, or Carolinian College. Ibid., xxix. 472. (Ferrara) We first went to visit the Lyceum, or University.
3. = LYCÉE.
1827. Scott, Napoleon, VI. 97. It was the policy of Bonaparte to diminish … the secondary or ecclesiastical schools, in order that the public education might be conducted at the public seminaries, called Lyceums or Academies.
1861. M. Arnold, Pop. Educ. France, Introd. 39. The French aristocracy could procure for its children … a better training than that which is now given in the lyceums.
4. U.S. (Cf. 2 b, c.) An institution in which popular lectures are delivered on literary and scientific subjects.
1820. Amer. Jrnl. Sci., II. 366. Abstract of the proceedings of the Lyceum of Natural History, New-York.
1837. Ht. Martineau, Soc. Amer., III. 163. Colleges to receive the élite of the schools; and lyceums, and other such institutions, for the subsequent instruction of working men.
1850. W. R. Williams, Relig. Prog., iv. (1854), 77. Men have expected … the Lyceum and the Lecture to close the dram-shop.
1893. Leland, Mem., I. 270. Let the aspirant begin by reading papers … before such societies or lyceums as will listen to him.
b. attrib., as lyceum assembly, system.
1858. O. W. Holmes, Aut. Breakf.-t., vi. 55. Two lyceum assemblies, of five hundred each, are so nearly alike, that [etc.].
1863. W. Phillips, Speeches, xi. 242. Appreciating the lyceum system as I do … I feel [etc.].
5. Used as the title of a book.
1809. Belfour (title), Lycæum of Ancient Literature; or Biographical … Account of Greek and Roman Classics.
