(ɪˈrɛkθɪəm, ˌɛrəkˈθiːəm) or Erechtheion (ɪˈrɛkθɪən, ˌɛrəkˈθiːən)
noun
a temple on the Acropolis at Athens, which has a porch of caryatids
Erechtheum in American English
(ˌɛrɛkˈθiəm)
noun
temple on the Acropolis in Athens, built 5th cent. b.c.: it contains famous examples of Ionic architecture
Word origin
Gr Erechtheion < Erechtheus, lit., the render, a mythical king of Athens supposedly entombed there < erechthein, to rend, break < IE base *rekth-, to harm > Sans ráksas-, torment