veilleuse

[ ve-yœz ]

noun

, French Furniture.

, plural veil·leuses [ve-, yœz].

1. a sofa having a low and a high end, with a back that slopes from one end to the other.

Word History and Origins

Origin of veilleuse¹

< French: literally, watcher (opposed to sleeper), equivalent to veill ( er ) to watch (< Latin vigilāre; vigil ) + -euse -euse

Example Sentences

Veilleuse, vā-lyėz′, n. a shaded night-lamp.

From Project Gutenberg

I should know at last what fate was Anthony Kinsella’s—but I dared not look behind me to where the veilleuse gleamed on the drooping head of Christ who died for sinners.

From Project Gutenberg

On the little altar the veilleuse flickered upwards to the silver crucifix; and from above, the Mother of Consolation regarded me with grave, sad eyes that made me afraid of my purpose.

From Project Gutenberg

When the good 'sister' moved about the room, in the dim light of the veilleuse, in spite of her coarse, unshapely garb, I recognized the outlines of Madeleine's form; notwithstanding the uncouth bonnet, and the white bandage that concealed her hair and brow, and, passing beneath her chin, almost hid her face, I recognized the features of Madeleine.

From Project Gutenberg

It seems more in accordance with ancient rites to consider them as lamps, filled with scented oil or nard, on the surface of which wicks, secured to a piece of papyrus, floated like a veilleuse, to guide the footsteps of pilgrims in the darkness.

From Project Gutenberg