I. ˈpentˌhau̇s noun
Etymology: by folk etymology (influence of Middle French pente slope — from pendant — and English house ) from Middle English pentis, from Middle French appentis, probably from Medieval Latin appenticium, appendicium appendage, from Latin appendic-, appendix appendage, supplement, from appendere to append — more at pendant , append
1.
a. : a shed or roof attached to and sloping from a wall or building (as to shelter a passage, door, window)
b. : a smaller structure joined to a building : annex
2.
a. : a structure built on the roof of a building to cover a stairway, elevator shaft, water tank, or ventilating or other equipment — called also bulkhead
b. : a dwelling built on a roof
c. : a corridor with a sloping roof surrounding a court-tennis court on three sides
II. transitive verb
: to furnish with or as if with or to make like a penthouse