Apartment
/əˈpɑːrt.mənt/noun
A self-contained set of rooms forming a residence, usually in a building with other such units.
Did you know?Apartment ultimately comes from a Latin root meaning “to separate,” which is the same ancient idea behind words for partitioning and parting ways.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
partiri
“to divide, share out”
Late Latin
Latin
apartare
“to divide or separate”
French
Old French
apartement
“a separated place or compartment”
17th Century
English
apartment
“a separated room or set of rooms in a house”
Modern English
English
apartment
“a self-contained dwelling unit in a larger building”