μέλαθρον

A. μελαθρόφιν Od. 8.279:—roof-tree, ridgepole, μελαθρόφιν ἐξεκέχυντο l.c., cf. 11.278, h.Ven. 173, IG 11(2).161 A 105 (Delos, iii B. C.), 199 A 113 (ibid., pl.); ἐπὶ προὔχοντι μελάθρῳ Od. 19.544: generally, beam, LXX 3 Ki. 7.9(20); τὰ μ. τῶν θυρίδων PRyl. 233.5 (ii A. D.).

2. roof, Il. 2.414, Od. 18.150.

II. house, κυπαρίσσινον μ. Pi. P. 5.40; οὐράνιον μ., of heaven, E. Hec. 1101 (lyr.): mostly in pl., Alc. Supp. 19.2, etc.; μ. ἐν βασιλείοις in the king's halls, A. Ch. 343 (anap.), etc.; ἐς δόμων μ. Id. Ag. 957; of a cave used as a dwelling, S. Ph. 147, E. Cyc. 491 (both anap.).

2. lair of an animal, Opp. C. 2.307.

3. cage, ib.4.107,423. (Acc. to EM 576.16 from μελαίνω, cf. καπνοδόκη; it is doubtful whether κμέλεθρον is cogn.)