mezzanine

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: mez=za=nine

CIDE DICTIONARY

mezzanine, n. [F. mezzanine, It. mezzanino, fr. mezzano middle, fr. mezzo middle, half. See Mezzo.].

•  Same as Entresol.  [1913 Webster]
•  A flooring laid over a floor to bring it up to some height or level.  [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
•  A floor under the stage, from which various contrivances, as traps, are worked.  [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
•  The lowest balcony in a theater, or the forward part of the first balcony.  [PJC]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

mezzanine, n.
1 a low storey between two others (usu. between the ground and first floors).
2 Brit. Theatr. a a floor or space beneath the stage. b US a dress circle.

Etymology

F f. It. mezzanino dimin. of mezzano middle f. L medianus MEDIAN