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

It was terribly cold, our windows under the persiennes were white with frost.

From The Blockade of Phalsburg An Episode of the End of the Empire by Chatrian, Alexandre

Closed persiennes of brownish-green, blistered wood protected them.

From The Garden of Allah by Hichens, Robert Smythe

"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

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

I wondered in what part of the building was situated her apartment; and a single light, shining through the persiennes of one croisee, seemed to direct me to it.

From The Professor by Brontë, Charlotte