(anatomy) An opening in a body, sometimes with a membrane.
Used in a Sentence
fenestra
Definition, parts of speech, synonyms, and sentence examples for fenestra.
Editorial note
Early 17th century from modern Latin defenestratio(n-), from de- ‘down from’ + Latin fenestra ‘window’.
Examples16
Definitions1
Parts of speech1
Quick take
(anatomy) An opening in a body, sometimes with a membrane.
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of fenestra gathered in one view.
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for fenestra.
noun
(anatomy) An opening in a body, sometimes with a membrane.
Example sentences
Early 17th century from modern Latin defenestratio(n-), from de- ‘down from’ + Latin fenestra ‘window’.
In this case it all comes from the Latin fenestra.
The prefix de- is used in Czech normally since forever and to this day (originally Latin though), the stem fenestra is Latin (not normally used in Czech), and the suffix -ace is Czech (Slavic origin).
> A name that could've come straight out of a Discworld novel You'll be pleased to know that there's a beautiful old house on the Amsterdam canals with the inscription on the front quanti canicula ille in fenestra.
You'd say something involving the words "de fenestra", but definitely not as one word.
German started using something like fenster vendauga (I don't know the actual phrase) to mean "a window with glass in it", from the Latin word fenestra.
Latin speakers wouldn't say it as one word, and there would also be a verb in a Latin sentence - "de fenestra" by itself is nonsense.
I think the common root here is the Latin word "fenestra".
I had no idea whether "fenetre" was male or female and whether it had an accent, until I remembered "fenestra".
Ventana and Window are root aligned (ventus, wind), fenestra in latin is "light opening", no idea how Portugal ended up with "door" for windows (Janus, janua, janela)..
For me it occupies an early memory because of Latin class ("de" + "fenestra" literally "down from the window") where we all found the story quite amusing.
Even if (this is a challenge for the average English speaker like myself) you maintain in your conscious mind "fenestra = window", I think it's still so funny, because it sounds like you're removing the window from the person (a la decapitation).
Quote examples
You'd say something involving the words "de fenestra", but definitely not as one word.
German started using something like fenster vendauga (I don't know the actual phrase) to mean "a window with glass in it", from the Latin word fenestra.
Latin speakers wouldn't say it as one word, and there would also be a verb in a Latin sentence - "de fenestra" by itself is nonsense.
I think the common root here is the Latin word "fenestra".
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use fenestra in a sentence?
Early 17th century from modern Latin defenestratio(n-), from de- ‘down from’ + Latin fenestra ‘window’.
What does fenestra mean?
(anatomy) An opening in a body, sometimes with a membrane.
What part of speech is fenestra?
fenestra is commonly used as noun.