Definition

1. Noun:

   • A space or room directly below the roof of a building: An attic is the highest floor or space in a house, immediately under the roof, often used for storage or converted into living space.
   • The dialect of Ancient Greek spoken in Attica and Athens: In historical linguistics, "Attic" refers to the classical dialect of Ancient Greek used in the region of Attica, which includes Athens.
   • (Architecture) A low decorative wall above a cornice: In classical architecture, an attic is a small story or decorative wall built above the main cornice of a building.
   • (Informal) A person's head: Used humorously or informally to refer to someone's head or mind.

2. Adjective:

   • Relating to Attica, Athens, or the Attic dialect: Pertaining to the ancient region of Attica in Greece, its inhabitants, or its classical dialect.
   • Characterized by refined wit or elegance: Describing a style of humor or expression that is subtle, delicate, and sophisticated, reminiscent of classical Athenian culture.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Storage Space):
  • We found old family photos stored in the attic.
  • The attic was filled with dusty boxes and forgotten furniture.
• Noun (Dialect):
  • Attic is the dialect in which many works of Plato and Aristotle were written.
• Noun (Architecture):
  • The building's facade was crowned with an ornate attic.
• Noun (Informal: Head):
  • Be careful, or you'll get that idea knocked right out of your attic!
• Adjective:
  • The museum has a collection of Attic vases from the 5th century BC.
  • Her conversation was noted for its Attic wit.

Advanced Usage

• "To have rats in the attic": An informal idiom meaning to be slightly crazy or eccentric.
  • Don't mind his strange theories; he's got rats in the attic.

Variants and Related Words

• Atticize (verb): To make something conform to Attic style or usage; to use Attic Greek.
• Atticism (noun): A refined, elegant phrase or style, especially one characteristic of Attic Greek.

Synonyms

• Loft (noun): A room or space under the roof of a building, similar to an attic.
• Garret (noun): A synonym for attic, often implying a small, poor, or cramped space.
• Cranium (noun, informal): A formal/informal synonym for the head.
• Ionic (adjective): Pertaining to another major dialect of Ancient Greek, often contrasted with Attic.

Related Phrases

• Attic salt (or Attic wit): A phrase describing a delicate, refined, and witty style of humor.
  • The playwright was famous for his Attic salt.

Related Idioms

• Something in the attic: A humorous way to suggest someone is not thinking clearly or is a little crazy.
  • You must have something in your attic if you believe that story.

Adjective

1. of or relating to Attica or its inhabitants or to the dialect spoken in Athens in classical times
   • Attic Greek

Noun

1. (architecture) a low wall at the top of the entablature; hides the roof
2. informal terms for a human head
3. the dialect of Ancient Greek spoken and written in Attica and Athens and Ionia
4. floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage