pied-a-terre
UK[ˌpjeɪ dɑː ˈteə(r)]US[ˌpjeɪ dɑː ˈter]
n
A small apartment, house, or room kept for occasional use.
Etymology
The term 'pied-à-terre' is a direct borrowing from French, entering English in the early 19th century. Its literal meaning is "foot on the ground," originating from the military expression for a temporary foothold or lodging. The logic of the phrase evolved to describe a secondary, often urban, residence that provides a practical "footing" or base for someone whose primary home is elsewhere. This captures the essence of the modern definition: a convenient, small dwelling for occasional, rather than permanent, occupation.
Analysis
This is a loan phrase from French. It is not productively segmented using English morphemes. In its original French, it is composed of 'pied' (foot), 'à' (to, at), and 'terre' (ground, land), but these elements are not independent morphemes in the English adoption of the term.
Examples
The executive maintains a pied-à-terre in the city for business trips.
They bought a cozy pied-à-terre in Paris to use during their frequent visits.
The studio apartment serves as her pied-à-terre when she's in town for the theater season.