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.
Meantime, the prince retrieved his priceless paintings and handmade clothes from the portiere, or janitor, who had helpfully hidden them when the inspector called.
From Time Magazine Archive
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 "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
Ruth had paused with her hand on the heavy portiere, wide-eyed.
From The Search by Hill, Grace Livingston
Then the portiere was drawn aside to let some one come through: at the same moment Lind caught a brief glimpse of a number of men sitting round a small table.
From Sunrise by Black, William
He did not know that, on his birthday, his wife and daughter stood behind the portiere of the parlor, nor that they made the long journey every year to see him.
From The German Classics, v. 20 Masterpieces of German Literature by Various
They were playing Sir Roger in the party-room as I held aside the bead portière for Louie to pass, and the couples, seen through the gauzy hanging, seemed spectrally charming.
From The Debit Account by Onions, Oliver [pseud.]
The portière alone fell all its length to the ground.
From Diana Tempest, Volume I (of 3) by Cholmondeley, Mary
She did not come beyond the portière, but every one in the room saw her distinctly.
From There is no Death by Marryatt, Florence
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
There was the faint clash of portière rings, and the sound of the French doors being opened.
From Doors of the Night by Packard, Frank L. (Frank Lucius)
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.
