alvĕārĭum, ii, n. (in Col. four times alveāre, is, n.) [alveus], a hollow vessel swelling out in the middle.—Hence,
I A beehive : seu lento fuerint alvearia (four syl. per synaeresin) vimine texta, Verg. G. 4, 33; * Cic. Oecon. Fragm. ap. Charis. p. 82 P.; Plin. 12, 20, 43, § 98.—
II A beehouse , apiary : circum villam totam alvearium facere, Varr. R. R. 3, 16, 12.—
III A kneading-trough , Tert. adv. Val. 31.