[ 'mɛzəni:n , 'mɛts- ]
■ noun
1》 a low storey between two others, typically between the ground and first floors.
2》 N. Amer. the lowest balcony of a theatre or the front rows of the balcony.
■ adjective Finance referring to unsecured, higher-yielding loans that are subordinate to bank loans and secured loans but rank above equity.
Origin
C18: from Fr., from Ital. mezzanino , dimin. of mezzano 'middle', from L. medianus 'median'.