brise-soleil

[breez-soh-ley]

noun

a screen, usually louvered, placed on the outside of a building to shield the windows from direct sunlight.

Origin of brise-soleil

1940–45; < French: literally, (it) breaks (the) sun (brise 3rd singular present of briser to break; soleil sun)

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British Dictionary definitions for brise-soleil

brise-soleil

noun

a structure used in hot climates to protect a window from the sun, usually consisting of horizontal or vertical strips of wood, concrete, etc

Word Origin for brise-soleil

C20: French: break-sun, from briser to break + soleil sun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012