half story

American  

noun

Architecture.

1. a usable living space within a sloping roof, usually having dormer windows for lighting.

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Etymology

Origin of half story

First recorded in 1610–20

Example Sentences

"You can't give them a half story – because they know the full story. It's got to match up with what they already believe to some degree."

From Salon • Apr. 1, 2022

Two and a half story houses, Mansarded, looked grand; and the East Square people thought nothing slight of themselves, though the "old places" and the real Z—— families were all over on West Hill.

From Real Folks by Whitney, A. D. T. (Adeline Dutton Train)

The mission dwelling consisted of two houses joined by a covered veranda,—one, a one-storied bamboo; the other framed of boards, one and a half story.

From Fetichism in West Africa Forty Years' Observations of Native Customs and Superstitions by Nassau, Robert Hamill

Colonel and Mrs. Peake added a half story to the two wings and increased the length of the ell.

From Seaport in Virginia George Washington's Alexandria by Moore, Gay Montague

Most two and a half story houses have 144 shutters on the first story and blinds on the second, as instanced by Upsala, Grumblethorpe, Loudoun, Glen Fern and the Perot-Morris house.

From The Colonial Architecture of Philadelphia by Cousins, Frank