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Added 10 October 2026

parvis

/ˈpɑː.vɪs/ noun

Latin root: paradīsus Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about parvis at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

An enclosed courtyard in front of a building, especially a cathedral.
A portico surrounding such a space.
The porch of a church, or the room over it.

Origin

From Middle English parvys, parvis, borrowed from Old French parvis, parevis, from Latin paradīsus, from Ancient Greek παράδεισος (parádeisos), ultimately from Proto-Iranian *paridayjah. Used since the Middle Ages to describe the court in front of St Peter's in Rome, and later, similar courts in front of other churches. Doublet of paradise.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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