ˈsäfə̇t noun
also sof·fite “, säˈfēt
( -s )
Etymology: French soffite, from Italian soffitto, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin suffictus, past participle of Latin suffigere to fasten underneath — more at suffix
: the underside of a part or member of a building (as of an overhang, ceiling, staircase, cornice, or entablature) ; especially : the intrados of an arch — compare plancier