soffit

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: sof=fit

CIDE DICTIONARY

soffit, n. [It. soffitta, soffitto, fr. soffiggere to hide, properly, to fix or fasten under, L. suffigere to fasten beneath or below; sub under, beneath + figere to fix, faste: cf. F. soffite.].

 The under side of the subordinate parts and members of buildings, such as staircases, entablatures, archways, cornices, or the like. See Illust. of Lintel.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

soffit, n. the under-surface of an architrave, arch, balcony, etc.

Etymology

F soffite or It. soffitta, -itto ult. f. L suffixus (as SUFFIX)