gўnaecēum
i, n.
I.
Among the Greeks, the inner part of the house where the women dwelt, the women's apartments, Plaut. Most. 3, 2, 68; 72; Ter. Phorm. 5, 6, 26; Cic. Phil. 2, 37, 95.—
II.
Among the Romans, the emperor's seraglio, where also women spun and wove the imperial garments: matresfamilias ingenuae ac nobiles in gynaeceum rapiebantur, Lact. de Mort. Pers. 21; Veg. Mil. 1, 7; Cod. Just. 9, 27, 5; 11, 7, 5.