cockloft

[ kok-lawft, -loft ]

noun

, Older Use.

1. a small loft or attic above the highest finished ceiling of a building.
2. a completely enclosed space between rafters and a suspended ceiling.

cockloft

/ ˈkɒkˌlɒft /

noun

1. a small loft, garret, or attic

Word History and Origins

Origin of cockloft¹

First recorded in 1580–90; cock ¹ + loft

Example Sentences

The combustion happened when oxygen met extreme heat contained in a common loft space beneath the roof connecting the businesses on the block, which firefighters call a “cockloft.”

From New York Times

Officials say two firefighters fell when the building’s cockloft collapsed.

From Washington Times

The fire then spread to other businesses through a common cockloft, a part of the roof that is shared by adjoining buildings.

From New York Times

They live in little “tilts”—log huts of one large square room, with “bunks” at each end for the women-folk, and a “cockloft” above for the men and lads.

From Project Gutenberg

They found themselves in a long narrow cockloft, not more than six feet high at the highest, and insufferably hot.

From Project Gutenberg