attic
/ˈætɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈætɪk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈa-tik/ (ame, mw)
attic — noun
1. a small room or open area tucked directly beneath a building's sloping roof, usu
a small room or open area tucked directly beneath a building's sloping roof, usually reached by a ladder or narrow stairs and commonly filled with old boxes, suitcases, and seasonal items.
Renata climbed the wooden ladder into the attic to find her grandmother's photo albums.
in/into the attic for entering the space
The Watanabe family stored their Christmas tree and winter coats in the attic every spring.
collocation: stored in the attic
There was a strange noise coming from the attic, so Wen went up with a flashlight.
The old farmhouse had a dusty attic full of broken furniture and yellowed letters.
Jamal turned the empty attic into a small painting studio with a skylight.
文法句型
in the attic
up in the attic
用法筆記
Almost always used with 'the' and the prepositions 'in', 'into', 'from', or 'up in'. Distinct from 'loft', which in British English often refers to the same space but tends to be unfinished or used purely for storage.
常見錯誤
attic — adjective
1. connected with the ancient city of Athens, the surrounding region of Attica, or
connected with the ancient city of Athens, the surrounding region of Attica, or the culture and language of the Greeks who lived there in classical times.
The museum displayed several Attic vases painted with scenes from Greek myths.
Attic + noun (Attic vases / pottery)
Professor Chen explained how Attic Greek differed from the dialect spoken in Sparta.
Attic Greek as a dialect name
The play follows the rules of Attic tragedy laid down by writers like Sophocles.
Many Attic statues from the fifth century BC are now kept in the British Museum.
文法句型
Attic + noun
用法筆記
Almost always written with a capital A as 'Attic' and used before a noun (Attic Greek, Attic pottery, Attic comedy). Distinguish from adjective sense 2, which describes a style rather than a place; this sense always refers to ancient Athens specifically.
常見錯誤
2. showing a clean, simple, and graceful style — especially in writing or speech —
showing a clean, simple, and graceful style — especially in writing or speech — that avoids decoration and feels both clear and sharp, recalling the qualities admired in classical Athens.
The critic praised the novel for its Attic prose and quiet emotional power.
Attic prose / Attic style
Senator Powell was known for the Attic wit she used to puncture pompous speeches.
collocation: Attic wit
The poem has an Attic grace that makes every word feel carefully chosen.
Reviewers admired the playwright's Attic style, calling it pure and free of empty decoration.
文法句型
Attic + noun (style/wit/grace)
用法筆記
Restricted to formal literary criticism and rhetoric; you will rarely hear it in everyday speech. Distinguish from adjective sense 1: that sense locates something in ancient Athens, while this sense praises a style for being simple, refined, and witty.