Lewis & Short

† 1. gymnăsĭum, ii, n., = γυμνάσιον, a public school among the Greeks for gymnastic exercises, a gymnasium.

  1. I. Lit., Plaut. Am. 4, 1, 3; id. Bacch. 3, 3, 21; id. Ep. 2, 2, 13; Cic. Tusc. 2, 15, 151; id. Rep. 3, 32; 4, 4: virgineum (in Sparta), Prop. 3, 14, 2; Ov. H. 16, 151; Cels. 5, 11; 15; Plin. Ep. 10, 40, 2; Quint. 2, 8, 3 al.
    Comically: gymnasium flagri, qs. school for the scourge, whipping-post, a term of reproach applied to one who is often flogged, Plaut. As. 2, 2, 31; cf.: totus doleo, ita me iste habuit senex gymnasium, i. e. he has belabored me so, id. Aul. 3, 1, 5.
  2. II. Transf., a public school among the Greeks, a highschool, college: omnia gymnasia atque omnes philosophorum scholae, Cic. de Or. 1, 13, 56; Liv. 29, 19, 12; Plin. Ep. 1, 22, 6; Juv. 3, 115: quae vix in gymnasiis et in otio Stoici probant, Cic. Par. prooem. 1.
    Transf., of a college-building on Cicero’s Tusculan estate: cum ambulandi causa in Lyceum venissemus (id enim superiori gymnasio nomen est), etc., Cic. Div. 1, 5, 8; cf. id. Tusc. 2, 3, 9.