# louver

Pronunciation: US say "LOO-ver" /ˈluːvɚ/; UK say "LOO-vuh" /ˈluːvə/

## Noun

1. A set of sloping, overlapping slats or boards that let in air and light while keeping out rain and the like.
   - Simple: A set of sloping boards or strips that let in air and light but keep rain out.
   - _Wooden louvers in the barn's gable let air circulate while keeping the hay dry._
   - _The architect fitted a louver over each window so the rooms stayed bright even in a downpour._
2. One of a set of slits made for ventilation, such as those in the hood of a car.
   - Simple: One of a row of narrow openings, like those on a car's hood, that let air through.
   - _Each louver punched into the hood lets hot air escape from the engine bay._
   - _The cabinet's side panel has louvers that keep the electronics inside from overheating._
3. A small turret on the roof of some medieval buildings, built to provide ventilation or let in light.
   - Simple: A small tower on the roof of some old buildings that lets in air or light.
   - _Restorers rebuilt the timber louver crowning the medieval hall, using old drawings as a guide._
   - _Air drawn up through the roof louver kept the great hall from growing stuffy._

## Origin

Inherited from Middle English lover, from Old French lovier or lover ("skylight"), from Medieval Latin *lōdārium (attested as lōvārium), an extension of lōdium. The origin of lōdium is unclear, but it is probably Germanic and related to Frankish *laubijā ("shelter").

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/louver (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).