Definition of "penetralia"

penetralia

/ˌpɛ.nəˈtɹeɪ.li.ə/

noun
plural only
1. The innermost, secret or hidden parts; mysteries.
2. The innermost parts of a building, such as a shrine, recess or a sanctuary within a temple.
  Quotations
  I believe, had I been in the inmost recesses of my habitation—the very penetralia—your eagerness would have surmounted bolts, bars, decency, and everything.
  1748, [Tobias Smollett], The Adventures of Roderick Random. […], volumes (please specify |volume=I or II), London: […] [William Strahan] for J. Osborn […]
  He wished to be what he called "safe" with all those whom he had admitted to the penetralia of his house and heart.
  1857, Anthony Trollope, “Mrs. Bold is Entertained by Dr. and Mrs. Grantly at Plumstead”, in Barchester Towers. […], copyright edition, volume II, Leipzig: Bernhard Tauchnitz, published 1859, page 12
  […] Bob's countenance was sublimed by his recent interview, like that of a priest just come from the penetralia of the temple.
  1880, Thomas Hardy, “A Discovery Turns the Scale”, in The Trumpet-Major […], volume III, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], page 94