SINCE 1828

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abat-jour

noun \ ˌäˌbäˈzhu̇(ə)r , F ȧbȧzhüür \

Definition of abat-jour

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

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Origin and Etymology of abat-jour

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”

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1838

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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