parquet

/pɑrˈkeɪ/

/pɑˈkeɪ/

Other forms: parquets

It must take a very long time to create a parquet floor. This type of woodwork includes many small, intricate pieces laid out in a geometrical pattern, almost like a mosaic.

Parquet is a French word that rhymes with tray. In fact, this type of woodwork originated in France and seems to have first been used on the floors at the Palace of Versailles. It is decorative in nature and can be used for flooring and also for furniture, such as tabletops. Sometimes parquet is also used to describe the main seating area in a theater — closest to the orchestra, or stage.

Definitions of parquet

1. noun

   a floor made of parquetry
   synonyms: parquet floor

   type of:

   floor, flooring

   the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
2. noun

   seating on the main floor between the orchestra and the parquet circle
   type of:

   seating, seating area, seating room, seats

   an area that includes places where several people can sit