Gymnasium

Gymnasium. This word (from gymnos, 'naked') was applied to those public places or buildings where the Greek youths exercised themselves, fitted up with running and wrestling grounds, baths, and rooms or halls for conversation and discussion. These were the favourite resort of youth, and for this reason were frequented by teachers, especially philosophers. The three great gymnasia of Athens were the Academy, where Plato taught; the Lyceum, where Aristotle laboured; and the Cynosarges. In this connection it is easy to understand the transference of the name to institutions for the mental disciplining and instruction of youth. The German gymnasium is an upper school where instruction is carried out largely by means of the classical tongues, preparing its pupils for the university, and corresponding roughly to the grammar and public schools of England, and the grammar and high schools of Scotland. See EDUCATION, Vol. IV. p. 208.