amphitheatre : ÆM-fi-thee-ah-ter

(Late Middle English via Latin from Greek amphitheatron). Derives from the ancient Greek ἀμφιθέατρον (amphitheatron), from ἀμφί (amphi), meaning “on both sides” or “around” and θέατρον (théātron), meaning “place for viewing”. An oval or circular, open-air performance space with tiered seating on all sides. A closed Roman arena used for gladiator games, circuses, animal hunts, and executions. “Amphitheatre” does not mean “ancient theatre”: the Colosseum in Rome is an amphitheatre; the theatre at Epidaurus is an ancient theatre.