An archaic term for a landing or level area in a staircase, or a step that provides a resting point.
From Middle English, likely combining 'hath' (meaning has) or from Old English 'hæth' with 'pace' (meaning step or threshold). The exact etymology is uncertain, but it appears in medieval texts describing architectural features.
Hathpace is one of those wonderful medieval architectural terms that describes a very practical problem: without good landings on steep castle stairs, people would tumble down in armor! This word captures how historical architecture was shaped by the actual physics of movement.
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