Difference between revisions of "Mansion"
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*1a obsolete : the [[act]] of remaining or dwelling : stay | *1a obsolete : the [[act]] of remaining or dwelling : stay | ||
:b archaic : dwelling, abode | :b archaic : dwelling, abode | ||
| + | :c. obsolete A stopping place on a [[journey]]; the distance between two stopping places; a stage. Used chiefly in the [[context]] of the [[Bible]] and the [[Middle East]]. | ||
*2a (1) : manor house (2) : a large imposing residence | *2a (1) : manor house (2) : a large imposing residence | ||
:b : a separate apartment or lodging in a large [[structure]] | :b : a separate apartment or lodging in a large [[structure]] | ||
| − | *3a : house | + | *3a : house |
| + | :b : one of the 28 parts into which the moon's monthly [[course]] through the heavens is divided | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
A '''mansion''', manson or manor is a very large dwelling house. U.S. realtors define a mansion as a dwelling of over 8,000 square feet (740 m2). A [[traditional]] European mansion was defined as a house which contained a ballroom and tens of bedrooms. Today, however, there is no [[formal]] definition beyond being a large and well-appointed house. | A '''mansion''', manson or manor is a very large dwelling house. U.S. realtors define a mansion as a dwelling of over 8,000 square feet (740 m2). A [[traditional]] European mansion was defined as a house which contained a ballroom and tens of bedrooms. Today, however, there is no [[formal]] definition beyond being a large and well-appointed house. | ||
Revision as of 17:18, 9 June 2014
Origin
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin mansion-, mansio, from manēre to remain, dwell; akin to Greek menein to remain
Definitions
- 1a obsolete : the act of remaining or dwelling : stay
- b archaic : dwelling, abode
- c. obsolete A stopping place on a journey; the distance between two stopping places; a stage. Used chiefly in the context of the Bible and the Middle East.
- 2a (1) : manor house (2) : a large imposing residence
- b : a separate apartment or lodging in a large structure
- 3a : house
- b : one of the 28 parts into which the moon's monthly course through the heavens is divided
Description
A mansion, manson or manor is a very large dwelling house. U.S. realtors define a mansion as a dwelling of over 8,000 square feet (740 m2). A traditional European mansion was defined as a house which contained a ballroom and tens of bedrooms. Today, however, there is no formal definition beyond being a large and well-appointed house.
The word itself derives (through Old French) from the Latin word mansiō ("act of remaining or staying", a verbal noun from manere "to remain" or "to stay".) In the Roman Empire, a mansio was an official stopping place on a Roman road, or via, where cities sprang up, and where the villas of provincial officials came to be placed. The Scots word "manse" originally defined a property large enough for the Minister of the parish to maintain himself, but a mansion is no longer self-sustaining in this way (compare a Roman or medieval villa). 'Manor' comes from the same root — territorial holdings granted to a lord who would remain there — hence it can be seen how the word 'Mansion' came to have its meaning.[1]
