Definition of "thymele" [thymele]

• In Greek antiquity, an altar; particularly, the small altar of Dionysus which occupied the central point of the orchestra of the Greek theater, and was a visible token of the religious character of the dramatic representations. (noun)
• [capitalized] [NL. (Fabricius, 1808).] In entomology, a genus of hesperian butterflies, or skippers. T. alveolus is the grizzled skipper, a British species. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "This 'thymele' was in the centre of the whole edifice, all the measurements were calculated, and the semi-circle of the amphitheatre was drawn, from this point."
• "This elevation was named the 'thymele', ([Greek (transliterated): thumelae]) and served to recall the origin and original purpose of the chorus, as an altar-song in honour of the presiding deity."
• "It is the theatre which vulgarises these things; the modern theatre in which we see no altar! where the thymele is replaced by the caprice of a popular actor."