ETYM French parvis, from Late Lat. paravisus, from Latin paradisus. Related to Paradise.
A courtyard or portico in front of a building (especially a cathedral).
Enclosed space at the front of a church.
Enclosed area in front of church.

ETYM Italian, Latin porticus. Related to Porch.
A covered often columned area serving as a porch or entrance to a building.
In architecture, a porch with a pediment and columns.