catacomb

From Old English, 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.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈkatəˌkəʊm/ (less commonly) IPA^(key): /ˈkatəkuːm/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈkætakoʊm/, /ˈkætəkuːm/

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 subterranean tunnel system used for burying the dead, as in Paris or Ancient Rome.