‖ poˈmœrium Rom. Antiq.
Also 7 pomerium.
[L. pōmœrium, -mērium, f. post behind + mœrus, mūrus wall.]
The open space running inside and outside the walls of a city, which was consecrated by the pontifex and ordained to be left free from buildings; = pomery. Hence transf.
| 1598 R. Grenewey Tacitus' Ann. xii. vi. (1622) 162 After that, the circuit or pomœrium was augmented, according to the fortune and riches of the Kings. 1618 Bacon Let. to King 2 Jan. in Cabala (1654) I. 9 The City grown from wood to brick, your Sea-walls or Pomerium of your Island surveyed. 1814 Regent's Park 25 It reserves a great pomœrium for the public health and recreation. 1852 Conybeare & Howson St. Paul (1862) II. xxiv. 382 The ancient wall, with its once sacred pomœrium, was rather an object for antiquarian interest..than any protection against the enemies. |