valance

English

Alternative forms

• valaunce (obsolete)

Etymology

Origin uncertain. Probably from Anglo-Norman valaunce, valence, from valer (“go down, let down”), aphetic form of Old French avaler (“to descend, go down”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈvæləns/
• Rhymes: -æləns

Noun

valance (plural valances)

1. A short curtain that usually hangs along the top edge of a window.
   • 1969, David G. Irwin, The Visual Arts, Taste and Criticism (page 27)

     Even the mantelpiece is adorned with a totally unfunctional tasselled valance rather like an altar frontal.

2. A decorative framework used to conceal the curtain mechanism and so on at the top of a window.
3. (bedding) A short, decorative edging of cloth that hangs from the mattress to the floor.
4. The drooping edging of the lid of a trunk, which covers the joint when the lid is closed.

Synonyms

• (bedding): dust ruffle, bedskirt

Derived terms

• valanced

Translations

short curtain on top of a window

• Finnish: kappaverho, kappa (fi)

• Russian: сваг (ru) m (svag)

decorative framework used to conceal the curtain mechanism

• Finnish: verholauta, kappalauta

short, decorative edging of a mattress

• Finnish: helma (fi), helmalakana (fi)

• Russian: по́лог (ru) m (pólog)

drooping edging of the lid of a trunk