Cou-lisse', n.
(koo-lĭs'), n. [Fr. coulisse, O. Fr. colais, coläise, colëice, colise, a portcullis, from Fr. couler, to flow, to glide.]
Sense 1. A piece of timber having a groove in which something glides.
Sense 2. One of the side scenes of the stage in a theater, or the space included between the side scenes.
Capable of nothing higher than coulisses and cigars, private theatricals and white kid gloves. C. Kingsley.