Lunette
/luːˈnɛt/noun
A small moon-shaped object or opening; also a crescent-shaped architectural or decorative form.
Did you know?The word comes from the same moon-root that gave us lunar, so a lunette is basically a miniature linguistic moon landing.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*lewk-
“to shine, be bright”
Latin
Latin
lūna
“moon”
Late Latin
Latin
lūnēt(a)
“little moon; crescent-shaped object”
Old French
Old French
lunete
“small moon; crescent; round lens or opening”
Modern English
English
lunette
“a crescent-shaped ornament, opening, or lens; a small moon-shaped form”