Xystus

Among the ancients, a long portico, open or covered at the top, where the athletæ practised wrestling and running: the gladiators who exercised therein, were called Xystici. Among the Romans, the xystus was only an alley, or double row of trees, meeting like an arbor, and forming a shade to walk under; so that, in this sense, it might be considered as an open walking place, where the Romans entertained one another. y.