the porch

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

1.(Arch.) A covered and inclosed entrance to a building, whether taken from the interior, and forming a sort of vestibule within the main wall, or projecting without and with a separate roof. Sometimes the porch is large enough to serve as a covered walk. See also Carriage porch, under Carriage, and Loggia. [1913 Webster]

The graceless Helen in the porch I spied Of Vesta's temple.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

2.A portico; a covered walk. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Repair to Pompey's porch, where you shall find find us.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

The Porch, a public portico, or great hall, in Athens, where Zeno, the philosopher, taught his disciples; hence, sometimes used as equivalent to the school of the Stoics. It was called "h poiki`lh stoa`. [See Poicile.] [1913 Webster]