French word

parvis

Pronunciation

IPA/paʁvi/

Meaning

  • masculine nounforecourt

Example

Le parvis du musée est calme.

The museum forecourt is quiet.

Illustration for parvis (forecourt)

More examples

Les élèves se retrouvent sur le parvis de l'école avant les cours.

The students meet up in the forecourt in front of the school before class.

Core concept

A small open forecourt directly in front of a prominent building, where people enter, wait, or meet.

Common phrases

  • se retrouver sur le parvis

    meet up in the forecourt

  • le parvis de l'école

    the forecourt in front of the school

  • sur le parvis avant la messe

    in the forecourt before Mass

Similar words

place: A broad public square in a town or city, used for gatherings, markets, or events.
cour: An open outdoor space enclosed by buildings, often attached to a home or school.
trottoir: A paved path along a road for people walking.
entrée: An entrance or passage into a building or room.

Definition in French

Petite esplanade située devant la façade d'un édifice, généralement dégagée et accessible au public, souvent associée aux bâtiments religieux ou publics.

Word origin

French parvis comes through Old French from Latin paradisus, borrowed from Greek paradeisos, and developed from an enclosed garden to a building forecourt.

Usage tips

  • Parvis is masculine, so the usual form is un parvis, with the article and adjective agreeing in the masculine.

Opposites

Word lists with this word