louver
LOO-ver
/ˈluːvər/
Each of a set of angled, horizontal slats in a shutter or blind, designed to admit light and air while excluding rain and direct sunshine.
Refers specifically to the individual slats themselves, though it can sometimes refer to the entire window structure containing them.
The story behind the word. In medieval architecture, a 'louver' was a wooden lantern-like structure placed on the roofs of great halls to allow smoke from the central hearth to escape while keeping out rain. Over time, the angled slats used in these structures kept the name and were adapted for windows.
Word relationships
- slat: Slat is a general term for any thin strip of wood or metal, while louver specifically implies an angled arrangement for ventilation and light control.
Commonly confused with
- blind: A blind is the entire window covering, whereas a louver is one of the individual angled slats within that covering.
Word family
- louvered (adjective): Fitted with louvers (e.g., louvered doors).
Collocations
- adjustable louver
- wooden louver
- louver shutters
Example sentences
- "The wooden shutters had adjustable louver slats that allowed the cool sea breeze to enter while keeping the midday sun out." A description of tropical architecture.
Memory hook
Louvers let you 'lower' the amount of light entering the room. Angled slats for air and light.
When not to use
Do not use to describe vertical fabric blinds unless they are rigid, adjustable slats.
Fun facts
- The famous Louvre Museum in Paris does not get its name from window louvers; its name likely derives from an old French word for a fortified hunting lodge ('lupara').
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