persiennes

American  

[pur-zee-enz, per-syen] / ˌpɜr ziˈɛnz, pɛrˈsyɛn /

noun

1. (used with a plural verb) Persian blinds.

2. (used with a singular verb) a printed or painted fabric of cotton or silk.

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persiennes British  

/ ˌpɜːsɪˈɛnz /

plural noun

1. Also called: Persian blinds.  outside window shutters having louvres to keep out the sun while maintaining ventilation

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Etymology

Origin of persiennes

1835–45; < French, noun use of plural of persienne, feminine of persien, obsolete variant of persan Persian

Example Sentences

"So I perceived," answered Lady Mar�chale, frigidly; by which I suppose she had not been above the weakness of looking through her persiennes.

From Cecil Castlemaine's Gage, Lady Marabout's Troubles, and Other Stories by Ouida

She got up, walked across the floor to the open window and unfastened the persiennes.

From The Garden of Allah by Hichens, Robert Smythe

I looked through the half-open persiennes with a semi-presentiment that it was my sweet foreigner who was leaving ere I could presume on my clematis or improve our acquaintance.

From Cecil Castlemaine's Gage, Lady Marabout's Troubles, and Other Stories by Ouida

A timepiece ticked on the mantel-shelf under a neat mirror, a secretaire stood between it and the window, which was furnished with persiennes, adding to the general appearance of rusticity.

From Mated from the Morgue A tale of the Second Empire by O'Shea, John Augustus

Very different to the lazy drawing up of a roller-blind in England is the swinging open of a pair of French persiennes.

From Her Royal Highness Woman by O'Rell, Max