Lewis & Short

alvĕārĭum, ii, n. (in Col. four times alveāre, is, n.) [alveus], a hollow vessel swelling out in the middle.
Hence,

  1. 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.
  2. II. A beehouse, apiary: circum villam totam alvearium facere, Varr. R. R. 3, 16, 12.
  3. III. A kneading-trough, Tert. adv. Val. 31.