noun
parquet
par-KAY/pɑːrˈkeɪ/
Flooring made from small pieces of wood arranged in patterns.
Small wooden pieces form a herringbone pattern in the parquet.
Etymology
The diminutive of “park” meant a small enclosed space or compartment. That word came to name wooden flooring, the sense behind today’s patterned floors made from small wood pieces.
In context
Normally, wood flooring is laid one board after another. So, parquet really refers to the boards are laid up in different patterns, different directions.
More examples
- The installer lays the parquet one piece at a time.
- We choose oak parquet for the dining room.
- A soft mop keeps the parquet clean without scratching it.
Forms
parquet
parquetry noun — Decorative work using patterned wooden pieces.
Similar words
- hardwood
- Hardwood flooring need not arrange small pieces into patterns.
- flooring
- Includes any floor covering, not just patterned wooden pieces.