jalousie

[ jal-uh-seeor, especially British, zhal-oo-zee ]

noun

1. a blind or shutter made with horizontal slats that can be adjusted to admit light and air but exclude rain and the rays of the sun.
2. a window made of glass slats or louvers of a similar nature.

jalousie

/ ˈʒælʊˌziː /

noun

1. a window blind or shutter constructed from angled slats of wood, plastic, etc
2. a window made of similarly angled slats of glass

Other Words From

• jalou·sied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jalousie¹

1585–95; < French < Italian gelosia jealousy; so called because such blinds afford a view while hiding the viewer

Word History and Origins

Origin of jalousie¹

C19: from Old French gelosie latticework screen, literally: jealousy , perhaps because one can look through the screen without being seen

Example Sentences

Her family’s home lacked air conditioning, but they didn’t need it: their jalousie windows let in the sea breeze.

From Washington Post

I’m replacing the old jalousie windows with full-length screens and putting in a beadboard ceiling.

From Seattle Times

The jalousies have all been closed, and the men are spread around the room as if assuming lookout posts.

From Literature

I open the jalousies beside my bed and look out past the patio to the yard beyond.

From Literature

Interior walls were built as jalousies to allow air to flow through the entire house.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• decoration
• drape
• drapery
• screen
• shade
• shroud
• shutter
• veil