aedĭcŭla, ae, f. dim. [aedes], a small building intended for a dwelling.
- I. For gods, a chapel, a small temple: cum aram et aediculam et pulvinar dedicāsset, Cic. Dom. 53: Victoriae, Liv. 35, 9; 35, 41: aediculam in ea (domo) deo separavit, Vulg. Judic. 17, 5; also a niche or shrine for the image of a god: in aedicula erant Lares argentei positi, Petr Sat. 29 fin.: aediculam aeream fecit, Plin. 33, 1, 6, § 19; 36, 13, 19, § 87.
Hence on tombstones, the recess in which the urn was placed, Inscr. Fabrett. c. 1, 68.
- II. For men, a small house or habitation (mostly in plur.; cf. aedes, II.), Ter. Phorm. 4, 3, 58; Cic. Par. 6, 3; Vulg. 4 Reg. 23, 7.
Sing. in Plaut., a small room, a closet: in aediculam seorsum concludi volo, Epid. 3, 3, 19 sq.