Palace
/ˈpæl.ɪs/noun
A large and impressive building used as a royal residence or for ceremonial functions.
Did you know?The word palace ultimately comes from the Palatine Hill in Rome, the elite seat of emperors and, later, the source of words meaning “royal residence” across Europe.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pel-
“to be flat; to spread out”
Latin
Latin
Palatium
“the Palatine Hill in Rome; later, an imperial residence”
Late Latin
Latin
palatium
“an emperor’s palace”
Old French
Old French
palais
“a royal residence; a palace”
Middle English
English
paleys
“a palace or great house”
Modern English
English
palace
“a royal residence or grand stately building”