parterre

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a formal ornamental garden laid out in symmetrical flowerbeds divided by paths

   Box hedges traced an intricate pattern across the palace parterre.

2. 2
   noun

   an individual flowerbed, especially one forming part of an ornamental garden

   She sold roses and herbs grown in her small parterre.

3. 3
   noun

   the ground-floor seating area of a theater, especially the rear part beneath the balconies

   Their inexpensive seats were at the back of the parterre.

Borrowed from French parterre, literally 'on the ground,' from par ('on, by') + terre ('earth, ground'). It first named a level garden arrangement viewed from above, then one of its beds. The same ground-level idea produced the theater sense for seats on the main floor.

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