mezzanine etymology

Etymology

The word "mezzanine" derives from the Italian word "mezzano", which means "middle".

Meaning and Origin

A mezzanine is an intermediate floor that divides the height between two main floors in a building. Mezzanines are typically found in large structures such as commercial, industrial, or public buildings.

The concept of a mezzanine originated in Italy during the Renaissance period. Early mezzanines were used in churches and other religious buildings to create an elevated choir loft or gallery. Over time, mezzanines found their way into secular buildings as well, initially as a way to increase floor space in cramped urban areas.

As mezzanines became more common, they began to serve various purposes:

  • Increased floor space: Mezzanines allow for additional usable space without the need for a full additional story.
  • Storage: Mezzanines can be used for storage purposes, freeing up space on the main floors.
  • Offices and workspaces: Some mezzanines are designed as private offices or workspaces, offering a separate and quieter environment.
  • Retail: Mezzanines in retail stores can provide additional display space or create a distinct area for certain products.
  • Entresols: Mezzanines that are located above the ground floor are sometimes referred to as "entresols" and serve as separate units within a building.

Today, mezzanines are an integral part of many modern buildings, offering increased space utilization, flexibility, and architectural interest.

mezzanine relate terms

  • amid

    Etymology The word amid has its roots in three distinct languages Old English on m

  • intermediate

    Etymology 1590s From Latin intermedius intermediate middle from inter between

  • mean

    Etymology Old English mǣne Proto Germanic mainiz Proto Indo European mei to think

  • medal

    Etymology Old French medaille Latin medalia plural of medalium a coin box or case La

  • medial

    Etymology The word medial comes from the Latin word medialis which means in the mi

  • median

    Etymology The word median comes from the Latin medianus which means middle or in

  • mediate

    Etymology The word mediate derives from the Latin verb mediare meaning to act as a

  • medieval

    Etymology Latin mediaevalis French moyen âge Middle English medieval Meanin

  • mediocre

    Etymology The word mediocre originates from the Latin word mediocris which means h

  • Mediterranean

    Etymology Mediterranean comes from the Latin phrase mare mediterraneum meaning sea i

  • medium

    Etymology The word medium originates from the Latin word medius which means middle

  • meridian

    Etymology The word meridian comes from the Latin word meridiānus which is derived

  • mesic

    Etymology Greek mesos middle ikos pertaining to Meaning Adjective Cha

  • mesial

    Etymology The word mesial is derived from the Greek word mesos meaning middle Me

  • meso

    Etymology The word meso is derived from the Ancient Greek word mésos which means

  • meson

    Etymology The word meson originates from the Greek word mesos meaning middle Me

  • Mesopotamia

    Etymology The term Mesopotamia is derived from two Greek words Meso μέσος

  • Mesozoic

    Etymology Mesozoic is a term derived from Ancient Greek meso μέσος meaning

  • mezzanine

    Etymology The word mezzanine derives from the Italian word mezzano which means midd

  • mezzo

    Etymology Italian mezzo half middle Latin medius middle Origin The word

  • mezzotint

    Etymology The term mezzotint is derived from the Italian phrase mezzo tinto which me

  • middle

    Etymology The word middle comes from the Old English word middel which in turn is d

  • Midgard

    Etymology Old Norse Miðgarðr Miðr middle center Garðr fence enclosure

  • midriff

    Etymology Middle English mydref 13th century Old English middref 11th century Pro

  • midst

    Etymology The word midst is derived from two Old English words Mid Meaning middle

  • midwife

    Etymology Mid middle Middle period of pregnancy 4 5 months Wife Archaic term for

  • milieu

    Etymology French milieu meaning middle surroundings Medieval Latin medius loc

  • mizzen

    Etymology The word mizzen originates from the Old French word mizene which itself d

  • moiety

    Etymology and Origin The word moiety comes from the Old French word moitié meaning

  • mullion

    Etymology Old French moulon meaning vertical bar in a window Latin mullus mea

  • balcony

    Etymology The word balcony comes from the Italian balcone which in turn is derived f

  • level

    Etymology Level derives from the Old English word læfel meaning a ladle Meaning

  • story

    Etymology The word story comes from the Middle English word storie which in turn com

  • floor

    Etymology The word floor comes from the Old English word flor which is of uncertain

  • first

    Etymology the study of the origin and development of words and their meanings Meaning

  • replenish

    Etymology Latin replenire to fill up again re prefix meaning back plenus

  • race

    Etymology and Meaning of Race The term race has a complex etymological history Indo

  • supplication

    Etymology The word supplication comes from the Latin word supplicare which means to

  • decision

    Etymology Late Middle English from Anglo Norman French descisioun from Latin decisio