flat

Where does the word "flat" come from? It comes from Old Norse flatr, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Flat’s story begins in Old Norse: flatr meant “level, even.” Level, even, without curves or bumps. It reached English by 1300s as flat. Settled as the standard English word for a level surface, later an apartment. Today, flat means having a level, even surface, or a self-contained apartment.

1. Stage 1 · Old Norse · medieval flatr "level, even", level, even, without curves or bumps.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s flat "level and smooth, or a single-story apartment", settled as the standard English word for a level surface, later an apartment.