ˈpaləˌfit, -fēt, ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ noun
( plural palafittes -ts ; also palafit·ti ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈfid.ē, -ˈfēd.ē)
Etymology: French, from Italian palafitta, from palo stake, pile (from Latin palus ) + fitto fixed, past participle of figgere to fix, from Latin figere to fix, fasten — more at pole , dike
: an ancient dwelling built on piles over a lake ; specifically : a Neolithic lake dwelling in Switzerland or northern Italy