coulisse

[ koo-lees ]

noun

1. a timber or the like having a groove for guiding a sliding panel.
2. Theater.
   1. the space between two wing flats, leg drops, or the like.
   2. any space or area backstage.
   3. wing flat.

coulisse

/ kuːˈliːs /

noun

1. Also calledcullis a timber member grooved to take a sliding panel, such as a sluicegate, portcullis, or stage flat
2. 1. a flat piece of scenery situated in the wings of a theatre; wing flat
   2. a space between wing flats
3. part of the Paris Bourse where unofficial securities are traded Compare parquet

Word History and Origins

Origin of coulisse¹

1810–20; < French: groove, something that slides in a groove; portcullis

Word History and Origins

Origin of coulisse¹

C19: from French: groove, from Old French couleïce portcullis

Example Sentences

The same "sesame" opened to him the coulisse of the Opera and the penetralia of the Franais.

From Project Gutenberg

Sale in blank was absolutely forbidden, and in the coulisse business was at a standstill.

From Project Gutenberg

She comprehended that he was, in many respects, a younger man than many a coulisse-frequenting youth whom she had known.

From Project Gutenberg

A saucy soubrette who might easily have just stepped from the coulisse of a Parisian theater!

From Project Gutenberg

Her easy confession of the garden-company opened the trying scene,—almost in the coulisse.

From Project Gutenberg