fenestra

American  

[fi-nes-truh] / fɪˈnɛs trə /

noun

fenestrae plural

1. Anatomy, Zoology. a small opening or perforation, as in a bone, especially between the middle and inner ear.

2. Entomology. a transparent spot in an otherwise opaque surface, as in the wings of certain butterflies and moths.

3. Architecture. a windowlike opening.

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fenestra British  

/ fɪˈnɛstrə /

noun

1. biology a small opening in or between bones, esp one of the openings between the middle and inner ears

2. zoology a transparent marking or spot, as on the wings of moths

3. architect a window or window-like opening in the outside wall of a building

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Other Word Forms

• fenestral
  adjective
• unfenestral
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of fenestra

1820–30; < New Latin, special use of Latin fenestra window, hole (in a wall)

Example Sentences

In most meat-eating dinosaurs, a ridge of bone provides a roof over an opening in the skull in front of the eye sockets known as the antorbital fenestra.

From Scientific American • Dec. 15, 2020

The origin of the m. adductor longus et brevis is from the dorsal edge of the ischiopubic fenestra and not from the membrane covering this fenestra.

From Myology and Serology of the Avian Family Fringillidae A Taxonomic Study by Stallcup, William B.

The frontal and its septo-maxillary process surround the olfactory fenestra.

From A Revision of Snakes of the Genus Conophis (Family Colubridae, from Middle America) by Wellman, John

Pueri walking by the house Saw caput in fenestra, Et sunt morati for a while To see quis erat in there.

From A Handbook for Latin Clubs by Paxson, Susan

Si vocat officium, turba cedente vehetur 50 dives et ingenti curret super ora Liburna atque obiter leget aut scribet vel dormiet intus; namque facit somnum clausa lectica fenestra.

From Readings from Latin Verse With Notes by Bushnell, Curtis C.