piano nobile

[ pyah-naw naw-bee-le ]
/ ˈpyɑ nɔ ˈnɔ bi lɛ /

noun, plural pia·ni no·bi·li [pyah-nee naw-bee-lee] /ˈpyɑ ni ˈnɔ bi li/. Italian.

the principal story of a large building, as of a palace or villa.

British Dictionary definitions for piano nobile

piano nobile
/ (ˈpjɑːnəʊ ˈnəʊbɪlɪ) /

noun

architect the main floor of a large house, containing the reception rooms: usually of lofty proportions

Word Origin for piano nobile

Italian: great floor