Gallery
/ˈɡæləri/noun
A room or building used for showing art, or a long passage or balcony in a building.
Did you know?The word passed through Medieval Latin and Old French before landing in English, and its earliest meanings were architectural long passages—not places for paintings.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
galḗrē
“A galley or long ship, a possible source in one branch of the word’s history.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
galeria
“A long narrow covered passage or porch.”
Old French
Old French
galerie
“A long covered passage, porch, or balcony.”
14th Century
English
galerie
“A covered walk or passage in a building.”
16th–17th Century
English
gallery
“A long room or upper balcony, later especially a room for displaying art.”