Penthouse

Quick meaning: Penthouse is a noun meaning (by extension, now rare) Something forming a shelter or canopy over something; an awning, shelter, etc.

Meaning

(by extension, now rare) Something forming a shelter or canopy over something; an awning, shelter, etc.

More Meanings

1. (tennis) Any of the sloping roofs at the side of a real tennis court.
2. (transitive) To provide with a penthouse, shelter by means of a shed sloping from a wall, or anything similar.
3. (now historical) A structure or annexe (especially one with a sloping roof) extending from the side of a building, sometimes as protection from the weather.
4. An apartment or suite found on an upper floor, or floors, of a tall building, especially one that is expensive or luxurious with panoramic views.

Example Sentences

The proboscis […] is doubled up by means of the joint, and in that position lies secure under a scaly penthouse.

Night of January 16th is the story of a woman on trial for pushing her wealthy boss-lover from a Manhattan penthouse.

At length, recommending himself to God, he let go one end of his cord, and suffered himself to fall down upon an old shed or penthouse, which, with the weight of his body, fell in with great noise.

2005, Tony Collins (ed.), Encyclopaedia of Traditional British Rural Sports, Routledge, page 262, An odd derivative of real tennis lasted until the latter part of the eighteenth century at Rattray in Perthshire. It was played in the churchyard by two pairs of men, and the method for starting the play was to throw the ball onto the church roof, using it like the sloping penthouse of the tennis court.

Word Forms

• penthouses
• penthousing
• penthoused

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include terrace, patio, deck, porch, loft, apartment.

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