chalet
UK[ˈʃæleɪ]US[ʃæˈleɪ]
n
A wooden house with a steep, sloping roof, common in mountain areas, especially in Switzerland.
n
A house built in this style, or a small cabin for holidaymakers.
Etymology
The word 'chalet' entered English in the late 18th century from Swiss French. Its ultimate origin is the Vulgar Latin calittum, meaning 'shelter' or 'hut', which is a diminutive form of the Latin cala, a term of pre-Latin origin referring to a protected spot or a sheltered place in the mountains. The term was originally used for the herders' wooden huts in the Alpine regions of Switzerland. Over time, the meaning evolved from a simple herdsman's shelter to denote the characteristic wooden houses of the Alps, and finally to its modern sense of any holiday house or cabin built in that distinctive style.
Analysis
The word 'chalet' is a simplex loanword from French. It does not contain separable morphemes within its modern English spelling.
Examples
They rented a cozy wooden chalet for their skiing holiday.
The picturesque village was full of traditional chalets with overhanging eaves.
The resort offers luxury chalets with stunning mountain views.