abat-jour

noun

\ ˌäˌbäˈzhu̇(ə)r, F ȧbȧzhüür\

plural abat-jours\ -u̇(ə)rz, -üür \

Definition of abat-jour

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

History and Etymology for 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”

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The first known use of abat-jour was in 1838

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