Other forms: louvres
A louvre is one of a set of slanting slats that let air through. Louvre doors, a louvre vent, adjustable louvres.
The angle is the whole trick: a louvre lets air and light pass while keeping rain and direct sun out. Americans spell it louver, and the Paris museum is a different word entirely despite the identical British spelling.
1nounlouvreOne of a set of slanting slats that let air through.
“Air flows through the louvres on the cupboard door, so the clothes don't get damp.”
louvre is a slat.
Also accepted in games: louver
Frankish
*laubijā — shelter
Medieval Latin
*lōdārium
Old French
lovier
Middle English
lover
English
louver
English, today
louvre
Built from
louver Middle English lover, from Old French lovier, lover (“skylight”), from Medieval Latin lōdārium (attested as lōvārium), extension of lōdium, of unclear origin, but probably of gem - origin and related to Frankish laubijā (“shelter”). Compare Old Norse ljóri.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA