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

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

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

Meanwhile, in the cool drawing-room to which the green persiennes gave a pleasant foreign look, Lady Tranmore had been waiting for the maid's return.

From The Marriage of William Ashe by Ward, Humphry, Mrs.

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

From The Garden of Allah by Hichens, Robert Smythe

"The signore is welcome," replied the old woman as she clattered into the narrow, cheaply furnished little sitting-room, which was in half darkness owing to the persiennes being closed.

From Mademoiselle of Monte Carlo by Le Queux, William