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
Two large chambers open out from this, which have no windows, but are entered through a large, arched doorway closed by a portiere or a heavy, massive curtain.
From The World and Its People: Book VII Views in Africa by Badlam, Anna B.
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)
Just then, while Towsley was watching the ice-cream begin to melt, the portiere was again lifted and the maid re-entered, leading a fat, fuzzy dog.
From Divided Skates by Raymond, Evelyn
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)
As he entered he drew the heavy portière over the closed door and passed to the desk in the corner and sat down.
From A Pasteboard Crown A Story of the New York Stage by Morris, Clara
Beyond the audience chamber there were two or three more reception rooms, and from the last of these a door masked by a heavy portière, gave on milor's study.
From Petticoat Rule by Orczy, Emmuska Orczy, Baroness
Presently, as she sat in the dark room, the door was opened; a page stepped in, drew aside the gilt morocco portière emblazoned with the Yarnova arms, and ushered in the handsome stranger, Aleksij Orsinski.
From The Pobratim A Slav Novel by Jones, P.
The first thing she saw, was Eleanor’s head showing from the side of the other portière.
From Polly in New York by Roy, Lillian Elizabeth
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.
