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
Here the portiere in his morning clothes, very different from the gorgeous apparel of afternoon, was sweeping out the courtyard.
From The Title Market by Soper, J. H. Gardner
There were two doors to the parlour, and Katherine went by way of the library one, over which a portiere was hanging.
From Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories, 1907 to 1908 by Montgomery, L. M. (Lucy Maud)
If that is good the rug or portiere or table-cover is beautiful.
From How to make rugs by Wheeler, Candace
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.
