Attics

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Spaces or rooms located directly under the roof of a building, often used for storage or additional living space
2. Enclosed areas found at the top of a house, typically above the highest floor, utilized for various purposes such as storage
3. Architectural features situated just beneath a sloping roof, serving as storage, workspace, or sometimes living areas

Etymology: "Attics" is the plural of "attic," and the singular has a surprisingly architectural origin. The word comes from the Attic style of ancient Greece, centred on Athens (Attica), and the connection is a matter of decoration rather than rooms. Classical buildings were often topped with a low storey or wall above the main cornice, and this upper level was decorated in a way associated with Attic architecture. Over time, that decorated top storey gave its name to the space above the main walls. The path into English ran through French: "attique" came from Latin "atticus," which in turn came from the Greek "Attikos," meaning "of Attica." So a word for a building's ornamental top level ended up naming the cramped room tucked beneath the roof.

Synonyms: lofts, garrets