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