lunette

American  

[loo-net] / luˈnɛt /

noun

1. any of various objects or spaces of crescentlike or semicircular outline or section.

2. Architecture. (in the plane of a wall) an area enframed by an arch or vault.

3. a painting, sculpture, or window filling such an area.

4. Fortification. a work consisting of a salient angle with two flanks and an open gorge.

5. Ordnance. a towing ring in the trail plate of a towed vehicle, as a gun carriage.

6. Ecclesiastical. Luna.

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lunette British  

/ luːˈnɛt /

noun

1. anything that is shaped like a crescent

2. an oval or circular opening to admit light in a dome

3. a semicircular panel containing a window, mural, or sculpture

4. a ring attached to a vehicle, into which a hook is inserted so that it can be towed

5. a type of fortification like a detached bastion

6. Also called: lune.  RC Church a case fitted with a bracket to hold the consecrated host

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Etymology

Origin of lunette

1570–80; < French, diminutive of lune moon < Latin lūna; see -ette

Explanation

One type of lunette is a little half-moon shaped window that is part of a domed ceiling. You're more likely to see a lunette in a cathedral than in your own home. During battles, military lunettes gave protection to troops taking cover behind them — they were temporary forts, curved into a protective shape and placed near but outside the main fortification. The curved window or opening also called a lunette is most often found in large structures like the Sistine Chapel and the Library of Congress. In Middle French, lunette means "little moon."

Example Sentences

They're currently hunting for companies and academic researchers they can partner up with, in order to get the Lunette cups onto the ISS.

From Salon • Jul. 30, 2023

Though several companies competed to be in the team's tests, Lunette was selected based on its company ethos toward sustainability.

From Salon • Jul. 30, 2023

"Now we know that cups made by Lunette, and probably other brands, are very resilient in the turbulence and microgravity of a rocket launch," she said.

From Salon • Jul. 30, 2023

Going to see Miss Lunette couldn’t be very dreadful if Miss Liza looked so pleasant about it.

From Black-Eyed Susan by Phillips, Ethel Calvert

And Miss Lunette can’t bear the tiniest bit of noise.

From Black-Eyed Susan by Phillips, Ethel Calvert