I. ˈwin(ˌ)dō, -_də; -_dəw or -_dō+V; dial ˈwindər or -dē or -di noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English windowe, from Old Norse vindauga, from vindr wind, air + auga eye — more at wind , eye
1.
a.
(1) : an opening in a wall of a building or a side of a vehicle to admit light usually through a transparent or translucent material (as glass), usually to permit vision through the wall or side, and often to admit air
(2) : an opening in a partition or a wall through which business is carried on (as by a bank teller or a ticket agent)
b. : a space behind a window ; especially : a space behind a glass window that is used for display especially of merchandise
c.
(1) : the casement, sash with its fittings, or other framework that closes a window opening
(2) : windowpane
the ball broke a window
2. : a means of entrance (as to the mind) ; especially : a means of obtaining information or maintaining contact
dedicated himself to the task of keeping his country a window on the West — Charles Hodges
3.
a. : any of various openings resembling or suggestive of a window: as
(1) : a small opening through which it is possible to see : slot
(2) : a small opening in an anatomical structure : fenestra
(3) : fenster
(4) : a transparent panel (as in an envelope, paper bag, or carton)
(5) : a transparent plate (as in the front of a diving helmet)
b. : eye
a pair of indigo windows — New York Sun
c. : a small polished facet on the surface of a rough gemstone that permits inspection of the interior
4. : strips of foil or metal-coated paper dropped from airplanes to interfere with an enemy's radar detection by creating spurious images — called also chaff
5. : a hairless patch on a pelt or fur
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. obsolete : to place in a window
2. : to provide with or as if with windows
III. noun
1. : a range of wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum to which a planet's atmosphere is transparent
2.
a. : an interval of time within which a rocket or spacecraft must be launched to accomplish a particular mission
b. : a usually short interval of time during which a certain condition or an opportunity exists
a window of vulnerability to Soviet attack
allowed the race committee a three-day window — Robert Sullivan
3. : an area at the limits of the earth's sensible atmosphere through which a spacecraft must pass for successful reentry
4. : any of the areas into which a computer display may be divided and on which distinctly different types of information may be displayed