attic

at·tic

noun \ˈa-tik\

Definition of ATTIC

1

: a low story or wall above the main order of a facade in the classical styles

2

: a room behind an attic

3

: a room or a space immediately below the roof of a building : garret

4

: something resembling an attic (as in being used for storage)

Examples of ATTIC

1. <rented the attic out to a college student>

Origin of ATTIC

French attique, from attique of Attica, from Latin Atticus

First Known Use: circa 1696

Related to ATTIC

Synonyms

cockloft, garret, loft

Related Words

hayloft

Other Architecture Terms

buttress, casita, cornice, fanlight, garret, lintel, parapet, pilaster, plinth

Rhymes with ATTIC

Attic, batik, phatic, static, vatic

¹At·tic

adjective \ˈa-tik\

Definition of ATTIC

1

: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of Athens or its ancient civilization

2

: marked by simplicity, purity, and refinement <an Attic prose style>

Origin of ATTIC

Latin Atticus of Attica, from Greek Attikos, from Attikē Attica, Greece

First Known Use: 1599

Other Archaeology Terms

Byzantine, Paleolithic, cairn, core, flint, horizon, neolithic, shard, stratum

Rhymes with ATTIC

attic, batik, phatic, static, vatic

²Attic

noun

Definition of ATTIC

: a dialect of ancient Greek originally used in Attica and later the literary language of the Greek-speaking world

First Known Use of ATTIC

circa 1771

Other Language Terms

cognate, collocation, homonym

Rhymes with ATTIC

static

at·tic

noun \ˈat-ik\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of ATTIC

: the small upper space of the middle ear—called also epitympanic recess

attic

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Inscribed attic surmounting the main cornice of the Arch of Titus, Rome, AD 81—A.F. Kersting

Floor of a dwelling contained within the eaves of the roof structure. The word originally denoted any portion of a wall above the main cornice (see entablature). Used by the ancient Romans principally for decorative purposes and inscriptions, as in triumphal arches, it became an important part of the Renaissance facade, often enclosing an additional story.