Alcove
/ˈæl.koʊv/noun
A small recessed section of a room or wall, often used for a bed, seat, or display.
Did you know?The opening syllable is Arabic al-, meaning “the,” while qubba originally referred to a domed or vaulted structure—making an alcove linguistically echo sacred architecture.
Etymological Timeline
Late Antiquity
Late Latin
cupa
“A tub, cask, or rounded container; a proposed source for Arabic qubba”
Early Medieval Period
Arabic
al-qubba
“The vault, dome, or cupola”
Medieval Period
Hispano-Arabic
alqúbba
“A domed chamber or recess”
13th–14th Century
Spanish
alcoba
“A bedroom or recessed chamber”
16th Century
French
alcôve
“A recess or small chamber adjoining a room”
16th–17th Century
English
alcove
“A recessed part of a room, especially for a bed or seat”