Definition

A courtyard or open space located at the entrance of a building, often surrounded by columns or arches, especially in front of a church.

Example

The parvis of the cathedral was filled with visitors admiring the architecture.

Conversation

Have you seen the beautiful parvis in front of the old church downtown?

Yeah, I walked by it last week; it looked stunning!

I love how the columns create such a nice atmosphere in the parvis.

Absolutely! It's a great spot to relax and enjoy the view.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Parvis comes from Old French 'parvis' (meaning a courtyard or forecourt), which in turn derives from Latin 'parvis' (meaning small or little). The word refers to a small courtyard or area, often in front of a church.

Memory Tip

Imagine a small 'courtyard' ('parvis') in front of a church, which helps you remember that 'parvis' refers to a small area.

Visually Confused Words