1
Stage 1 of 5
pectus
Latin · ancient
"breast, chest"
a plain word for the chest or breast
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Stage 2 of 5
petto
Italian · medieval
"breast, chest"
kept the sense of the breast
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Stage 3 of 5
parapetto
Italian · medieval
"a breast-high defensive wall"
para- 'defense' plus petto 'breast' - a wall built breast-high for protection
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Stage 4 of 5
parapet
French · 1500s
"a defensive breastwork"
borrowed from Italian for a fortification's breastwork
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Stage 5 of 5
parapet
English · 1580s
"a low protective wall"
adopted for a low protective wall along a roof, bridge, or rampart
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