Sof"fit (?), n. [It. soffitta, soffitto, fr.
soffiggere to hide, properly, to fix or fasten
under, L. suffigere to fasten beneath or below; sub under, beneath + figere
to fix, faste: cf. F. soffite.]
(Arch.)
The under side of the subordinate parts and
members of buildings, such as staircases, entablatures, archways, cornices, or the like. See Illust. of Lintel.
Hear it pronounced