portiere

American  

[pawr-tyair, -teer, pohr-, pawr-tee-air, pohr-] / pɔrˈtyɛər, -ˈtɪər, poʊr-, ˌpɔr tiˈɛər, ˌpoʊr- /

Or portière

noun

1. a curtain hung in a doorway, either to replace the door or for decoration.

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portière British  

/ ˌpɔːtɪˈɛə, pɔrtjɛr /

noun

1. a curtain hung in a doorway

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Other Word Forms

• portiered adjective
• portièred adjective

Etymology

Origin of portiere

1835–45; < French portière < Medieval Latin portāria, noun use of feminine of Late Latin portārius; porter ²

Example Sentences

“So sad I got fat and had to resort to Scarlett curtains and portieres, disguised as caftans and djellabas!” he said.

From New York Times

A 20-foot-long hallway was cut down to size with curtains to create portieres that signal the entrance to the master bedroom suite.

From Los Angeles Times

He thought he saw Cathy’s door close very silently, but perhaps the leaping candlelight had fooled his eyes, for a portiere seemed to move too.

From Literature

At that moment Virginia pushed aside the portiere and silently stepped into the room.

From Project Gutenberg

He had a horrid vision of driving up to the door, having the portiere ask him his errand, perhaps of having Miss Allen look out of the window and see the scene.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• decoration
• drape
• drapery
• screen
• shade
• shroud
• shutter
• veil