1835–45; < French portière < Medieval Latin portāria, noun use of feminine of Late Latin portārius; see porter 2
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He began walking up and down the room, and staring fixedly at the door, before which hung a portière.
From There is no Death by Marryatt, Florence
And thereupon she unhooped the portière, which consisted of two curtains, and drew them right across the door.
From There is no Death by Marryatt, Florence
He sighed copiously through his nose, and changed legs; his dull eyes turned to the portière.
From Diana Tempest, Volume I (of 3) by Cholmondeley, Mary
We were in Milverton's study, and a portière at the farther side showed the entrance to his bedroom.
From The Strand Magazine, Volume XXVII, Issue 160, April, 1904 by Various
The two drawing-rooms communicated by folding doors, which were opened, and a portière drawn across the opening.
From There is no Death by Marryatt, Florence
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
