maisonette

or mai·son·nette

[ mey-zuh-net ]

noun

1. a small house, especially one connected to a large apartment building.
2. an apartment, usually of two floors connected by an internal staircase; duplex apartment.

maisonette

/ ˌmeɪzəˈnɛt /

noun

1. self-contained living accommodation often occupying two floors of a larger house and having its own outside entrance

Word History and Origins

Origin of maisonette¹

1810–20; < French, Old French, equivalent to maison house ( mansion ) + -ette -ette

Word History and Origins

Origin of maisonette¹

C19: from French, diminutive of maison house

Example Sentences

Kelly Reilly loved her dog "like a baby" before it caused severe injuries to her head and throat on July 22 in her maisonette in Wexford Road, Wood End, Coventry Coroner's Court heard.

From BBC

Crews called to The Coppice shortly before 04:40 GMT found a severe fire in a first-floor maisonette flat, that affected the entire property.

From BBC

Until August, she lived in a privately-rented maisonette - it was full of her own furniture, personal items and her beloved cat Charlie.

From BBC

On an autumn night in 2014, Sarah Sands left her east London maisonette with a hood pulled over her head, armed with a knife.

From BBC

Down the block, she climbs over the burning ruins of her home, a small maisonette on the corner.

From Literature