Definition of storey

The word "story" derives from the Old French word "esty" which, in turn, originated from the invading Norman-French during the 11th century. The term was initially used to describe the level or compartment of a building, especially in a medieval castle or fortified structure. In such buildings, the layout consisted of multiple floors or levels, with the living quarters for the lord and his family occupying the uppermost level, which was referred to as "lawost," meaning "highest place." Eventually, "lawost" evolved into "loftiest" in Middle English, and then to "loftiest ore," which became "hastyngs deerest" during the 15th century. All these phrases eventually transformed into "storey," a Middle English term that came to be used to describe any floor level in a building, apart from the ground floor. Over time, the spelling of the word evolved as well. The "o" changed to "ou" in the early 16th century, and then to "o" during the 16th century. However, the spaces in "storey" disappeared during the 19th century, leaving behind the pronunciation and spelling we are familiar with today. In summary, the etymology of "story" is closely connected to the layout and design of medieval buildings, specifically their vertical construction, and the evolution of the language in which they were formally described.