Mid 17th century; earliest use found in Thomas Browne (1605–1682), physician and author. From classical Latin peristȳlium inner courtyard lined with rows of columns from Hellenistic Greek περιστύλιον from περίστυλον + -ιον, diminutive suffix.
Definition of peristylium in US English:
peristylium
nounˌpɛrɪˈstʌɪlɪəm
Architecture rare
Peristyle.
Origin
Mid 17th century; earliest use found in Thomas Browne (1605–1682), physician and author. From classical Latin peristȳlium inner courtyard lined with rows of columns from Hellenistic Greek περιστύλιον from περίστυλον + -ιον, diminutive suffix.