CELLAR (Cellarium), in ancient writers, denotes the same with cella, viz. a conservatory of eatables, or drinkables.
Cellar differs from vault, as the latter is supposed to be deeper, the former being frequently little below the surface of the ground. In which sense, cellarium only differed from penus, as the former was only a store-house for several days, the latter for a long time. Thus it is, the bactroperate, a sort of ancient Cynics, are said by St Jerome to carry cellar about with them.
Cellarium also denoted an allowance of bread, wine, oil, or other provision, furnished out of the cells, to the use of the governor of the province and his officers, &c. In which sense, the word amounts to much the same with annona.