(from *ἀσπάζομαι*, "I salute,") in ecclesiastical writers, a place, or apartment, adjoining to the ancient churches, wherein the bishop and preachers sat, to receive the salutations of the persons who came to visit them, desire their blessing, or consult them on business.—This is also called *aspasticum diaconicum*, *receptorium*, *metatorium*, or *metatorium*, and *familiarium*: in English, "greeting-house."