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

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

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

She watched the sunshine coming in bars through the persiennes, and her immediate surroundings again melted away.

From The Rainbow by Lawrence, D. H. (David Herbert)

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

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