coulissé

Coulissé is a French term used in several contexts to denote aspects related to sliding, movement, or hidden elements. As an adjective, coulissé describes something that slides or is capable of sliding. As a noun, it can refer to a groove, slot, or space that guides a sliding component, or more broadly to a concealed area associated with movement.

In theatre, the plural form coulisses denotes the backstage areas of a stage. The coulisses encompass the wings and service corridors that lie behind or to the sides of the visible stage, hidden from the audience. These spaces are used for actors’ entrances and exits, prop handling, and rapid scene changes, and are accessed by performers and crew via doors connecting to the stage area.

In mechanical and architectural contexts, a coulisse is a groove or track that guides a sliding element. This includes features such as drawers, sliding doors, or panels that move within a channel. The concept emphasizes the interaction between a moving part and the guide groove that directs its motion.

The term is primarily used in French technical vocabulary, but it appears in English-language discussions of theatre and design to describe backstage features or sliding guide mechanisms. Depending on the field, coulisse can thus refer to either a hidden functional space or a physical groove that enables sliding motion.