palafitte

noun

pal·​a·​fitte
ˈpaləˌfit,
-fēt
plural palafittes
-ts
also palafitti
ˌ⸗⸗ˈfitē,
-ˈfētē
: an ancient dwelling built on piles over a lake
specifically : a Neolithic lake dwelling in Switzerland or northern Italy

Word History

Etymology

French, from Italian palafitta, from palo stake, pile (from Latin palus) + fitto fixed, past participle of figgere to fix, from Latin figere to fix, fasten

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Cite this Entry

“Palafitte.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/palafitte. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

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