The meaning of the word "terem" is the high chambers

Reading old tales, listening to legends, I had to deal with the word "terem" more than once. After all, almost every work tells the stories of heroes who save beautiful maidens, beloved sisters from imprisonment.

The lexical meaning of the word "terem"

This word takes its roots from the Old Slavonic language. The main meaning of the word "terem" is the high part of the house, built on a stone base, in the form of a cage or over an arch of a gate. Often Baba devil called a room on the female half where the wives lived, the daughters of a ruler or a prince.

The first meaning of the word "terem" is borrowed from the Greek language and means "dwelling", "canopy of logs". Later, this meaning migrated to other dialects, mutating depending on the nationality.

There is also a possibility that the meaning of the word "terem" is taken from the Kypchak dialect and means "female peace", which reflects its basic meaning. After all, more often in Russia the superstructure was called not simply the boyar chambers, but the female part of it.

Interesting Facts

In antiquity, peace was the highest part of the house. For its construction, only the best tree was used, and the windows and the roof were decorated with beautiful patterned details. The intricate ligature was chosen not casually, with its help protected houses from misfortunes, illnesses and poverty, envy of associates.

Another meaning of the word "terem" is the high chambers. It was believed that only rich merchants, boyars and princes could afford such luxury as a superstructure made of good wood. Therefore behind the chambers the name - the golden-tiered tower - was fixed.

In the superstructure there were many windows. Such premises were used for needlework on sunny fine days. In the royal chamber, boyars and receptions of foreign ambassadors were held. Around such superstructures, additional balconies and parapets were added, so-called "gulbischa".