terrace

Where does the word "terrace" come from? It comes from Latin terra, passing through Old French before entering English (1500s).

Terrace’s story begins in Latin: terra meant “earth.” The root of 'territory' and 'terrain'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as terrasse. A platform of earth. It reached English by 1500s as terrace. British 'terraced houses' date from the 1800s. Today, terrace means a flat raised area; a row of houses.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient terra "earth", the root of 'territory' and 'terrain'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval terrasse "raised platform", a platform of earth.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s terrace "raised platform", British 'terraced houses' date from the 1800s.