Fenestella
/ˌfɛnəˈstɛlə/noun
A small window or opening, especially in architecture or anatomy.
Did you know?Fenestella comes from Latin *fenestra* (“window”) with the diminutive suffix *-ella*, and that same ancient “window” root also survives in the English word *defenestrate* — to throw someone out a window.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰeh₂-
“to shine, appear”
Latin
Latin
fenestra
“window, opening”
Latin
Latin
fenestella
“little window; small opening”
Late Latin / Medieval Latin
Latin
fenestella
“small window, niche, or aperture”
Modern English
English
fenestella
“a small window or opening”
Explore more surprising origins