abat-jour

noun

ˌäˌbäˈzhu̇(ə)r,

F ȧbȧzhüür

plural abat-jours

-u̇(ə)rz,

-üür

1

: a device (such as a sloping soffit of a lintel or a movable screen) for deflecting daylight downward as it enters a window

2

: skylight

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, literally, "(it) strikes down (abat) the daylight (jour)," from abattre "to strike down" + jour "day, daylight," going back to Old French jorn, jor, going back to Late Latin diurnum (Latin, "daily ration, daybook"), from neuter of Latin diurnus "daily"

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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