catacomb

From Old English [Term?], from Late Latin catacumbas, name of the underground cemetery of St. Sebastian in Rome, dissimilation of Latin cata- (“among”) (from Ancient Greek κατά (katá, “under”)) + tumbas (from Ancient Greek τύμβος (túmbos, “tomb”)).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈkætəkuːm/, /ˈkætəkəʊm/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈkætəkoʊm/

catacomb (plural catacombs)

1. (often plural) An underground system of tunnels and chambers with recesses for graves, used (in former times) as a cemetery; a tunnel system used for burying the dead, as in Paris or Ancient Rome.