ombres chinoises
/ˌɒmbrə ʃɪnˈwɑːz/ /ˌɒmbrə ʃiːnˈwɑːz/Now historical
noun
Treated as plural. A puppet shadow play; (also) a theatre where such plays are performed. Also fig. Compare galanty show.
Origin
Late 18th century. From French ombres chinoises from ombres, plural of ombre shadow + chinoises, feminine plural of chinois (adjective) Chinese, with allusion to the Chinese origins of this type of theatre.