atrium

Where does the word "atrium" come from? It comes from Latin atrium, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).

Atrium’s story begins in Latin: atrium meant “the central hall of a Roman house.” The central open-roofed hall of a Roman house, said to be named for its smoke-blackened walls. It reached English by 1500s as atrium. The open central court of a Roman house, with a pool to collect rainwater. Today, atrium means a large open central area within a building, often skylit.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient atrium "the central hall of a Roman house", the central open-roofed hall of a Roman house, said to be named for its smoke-blackened walls.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1500s atrium "a central open hall in a building", the open central court of a Roman house, with a pool to collect rainwater.