méridienne

• meridienne

From French méridienne, feminine of méridien (“meridian; noon (attributive)”), from its typical use: rest in the middle of the day, when the sun is near the meridian.

méridienne (plural méridiennes)

1. An asymmetrical daybed with a high head-rest, and a lower foot-rest, joined by a sloping piece.
   • 1981, Americana, page 24, column 2:

     Méridiennes have sold for up to $19,000 a pair, a bid posted at Morton’s. “Méridiennes such as that one are the rare pieces that bring top dollar,” says Phillip Alford, Morton’s nineteenth-century furniture expert.

   • 1990, Architectural Digest, page 260:

     Silk velvet on the méridiennes is from Manuel Canovas; Clarence House fabric covers the sofa and front of fauteuils.

   • 1990, Museum Notes, page 23:

     This, too, has now been restored and reupholstered, and the unusual pair of méridiennes (short daybeds) will be installed on either side of the mantlepiece in the upstairs hall.

• Chaise longue on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

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méridienne

1. feminine singular of méridien

méridienne f (plural méridiennes)

1. méridienne

• “méridienne”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.