valance

C1 Topic:Space, Position & Direction

Also spelled vallances

US /ˈvæləns/ UK /ˈvæləns/ See IPA manual

Minimal pairs

Sounds like balance /v/ vs /b/

noun

Meanings

1

noun
a decorative drapery hung along the edge of a bed, table, or shelf

The bed was adorned with a lace valance.
2

noun
a short curtain or piece of fabric that hangs across the top of a window

She chose a floral valance to complement the room's decor.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a decorative drapery hung... bed skirtdust ruffledrape swag

2 noun · a short curtain or piece of... pelmetdrape swag festoon

Etymology

From Old French valance/avaler 'to descend, edge of a roof,' through Middle English, denoting a decorative drapery for a bed or window.

Topics

Space, Position & Direction House & Home

# valance

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** ˈvæləns
**IPA (UK):** ˈvæləns

## Meanings
1. a decorative drapery hung along the edge of a bed, table, or shelf
2. a short curtain or piece of fabric that hangs across the top of a window

## Examples
- The bed was adorned with a lace valance.
- She chose a floral valance to complement the room's decor.

## Synonyms
- bed skirt
- dust ruffle
- drape
- swag
- pelmet
- festoon

## Etymology
From Old French valance/avaler 'to descend, edge of a roof,' through Middle English, denoting a decorative drapery for a bed or window.

## AI Etymology
Valance comes from Old French valance/avaler 'to descend, edge of a roof,' through Middle English, denoting a decorative drapery for a bed or window. In current use it is a noun meaning "a decorative drapery hung along the edge of a bed, table, or shelf". That sense is explained by the older material without requiring a speculative semantic step: the inherited or borrowed base supplies the field of meaning, while the English formation fixes its modern role. The history is mainly one of transmission into English, with the older form and sense carried through borrowing or adaptation. For dictionary purposes, the important point is the continuity between the older form, the route into English, and the present lexical sense.

## Topics
- Space, Position & Direction
- House & Home

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