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

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

From The Garden of Allah by Hichens, Robert Smythe

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

The improvement is undoubted, but so is the absolute lack of interest and charm; at least, to those who are outside of the persiennes so uniformly closed against the summer sun.

From Wanderings by southern waters, eastern Aquitaine by Barker, Edward Harrison

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