Defn: Window blinds having movable slats, similar to Venetian blinds.
PERSIFLAGE Per`si`flage", n. Etym: [F., fr. persifler to quiz, fr. L. per + siffler to whistle, hiss, L. sibilare, sifilare.]
Defn: Frivolous or bantering talk; a frivolous manner of treating any subject, whether serious or otherwise; light raillery. Hannah More.
PERSIFLEUR
Per`si`fleur, n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: One who indulges in persiflage; a banterer; a quiz. Carlyle.
PERSIMMON
Per*sim"mon, n. Etym: [Virginia Indian.] (Bot.)
Defn: An American tree (Diospyros Virginiana) and its fruit, found from New York southward. The fruit is like a plum in appearance, but is very harsh and astringent until it has been exposed to frost, when it becomes palatable and nutritious. Japanese persimmon, Diospyros Kaki and its red or yellow edible fruit, which outwardly resembles a tomato, but contains a few large seeds.
PERSIS
Per"sis, n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.]
Defn: A kind of coloring matter obtained from lichens.
PERSISM
Per"sism, n.