brise-bise

[ breez-beez ]

/ ˈbrizˌbiz /

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noun

a short curtain, often of lace, hung on the lower section of a window.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

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Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

Origin of brise-bise

1910–15; <French: literally, (it) breaks (the) wind (brise 3rd singular present of briser to break; bise north wind)

That trial unveiled financing links between the Cercle Wagram and the Brise de Mer, a Corsican organized crime group.
François Hollande’s Corsican Mafia Love Nest?|Tracy McNicoll|January 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ferracci is also a television actor who appears in “Mafiosa,” a series said to be inspired by the Brise de Mer gang.
François Hollande’s Corsican Mafia Love Nest?|Tracy McNicoll|January 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"Quand la bise fut venue" means without doubt the month of November or December.
The Insect World|Louis Figuier
Sir Evelyn Ruggles Brise had evidently settled the difficulty in the most humane spirit.
Oscar Wilde, Volume 2 (of 2)|Frank Harris

But the cold bise was still blowing, and Julie, shivering, drew her wrap closer round her.
Lady Rose's Daughter|Mrs. Humphry Ward
The concluding words are: en vivant et en voyant les hommes, il faut que le cour se brise ou se bronze.
Friedrich Nietzsche|Georg Brandes
Brise-Bleu nodded affirmatively, went into the wood, and came out dragging after him a donkey loaded with two baskets.
The Companions of Jehu|Alexandre Dumas, pre