Hall
/hɔːl/noun
A large room or building used for gatherings, ceremonies, or public functions.
Did you know?In Old English, a hall was the chief residence of a lord, so the word carried the social weight of authority, hospitality, and public life long before it became a generic building term.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kel-
“to cover, conceal”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*hallō
“covered place, large covered building”
Old English
OE
heall
“large house, manor house, public building”
Middle English
ME
halle
“large room or building for public use”
Modern English
English
hall
“a large room or building used for gatherings or public purposes”