refectory
UK: rɪˈfɛkt(ə)ri | US: rɪˈfɛktəri
n. A dining hall, especially in a monastery, college, or other institution.
refectory = re<again> + fect<make/do> + ory<place for>
- re: Prefix meaning "again" (from Latin re-).
- fect: Root derived from Latin facere ("to make/do"), preserved in words like "factory" or "manufacture."
- ory: Suffix denoting "a place for" (from Latin -orium), as in "laboratory" or "observatory."
Etymology Origin:
The word "refectory" traces back to Late Latin refectōrium, from reficere ("to restore or refresh"). It combines re- (indicating repetition) and facere ("to do/make"), reflecting the idea of a space where meals "restore" energy. Historically, it referred to communal dining halls in religious or academic settings, emphasizing nourishment and renewal.
The monks gathered in the refectory for their evening meal.
The university’s refectory serves meals to hundreds of students daily.
Medieval refectories often featured long wooden tables and minimal decoration.
After the lecture, she hurried to the refectory to meet her friends.
The monastery’s refectory was silent except for the clinking of utensils.