amphitheatre

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: am=phi=the=a=tre

CIDE DICTIONARY

amphitheatre, n. [L. amphitheatrum, fr. Gr. ; + theater: cf. F. amphithéâtre. See Theater.].

•  An oval or circular building with rising tiers of seats about an open space called the arena.  [1913 Webster]

  " The Romans first constructed amphitheaters for combats of gladiators and wild beasts."  [1913 Webster]
•  Anything resembling an amphitheater in form; as, a level surrounded by rising slopes or hills, or a rising gallery in a theater.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

amphitheatre, n. (US amphitheater)
1 a round, usu. unroofed building with tiers of seats surrounding a central space.
2 a semicircular gallery in a theatre.
3 a large circular hollow.
4 the scene of a contest.

Etymology

L amphitheatrum f. Gk amphitheatron (as AMPHI-, THEATRE)