fenestra

(fi nestrə)

noun pl. fenestrae

  1. a small opening, as any of the covered oval openings in the inner wall of the middle ear
  2. a small, transparent spot, as in the wings of some insects
  3. any small opening in a membrane

Origin: ModL < L, window, prob. < Etr *fnestra

Related Forms:

See fenestra in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. fe·nes·trae (-trēˌ)
  1. Anatomy A small opening, especially either of two windowlike apertures in the medial wall of the middle ear.
  2. The opening in a bone made by surgical fenestration.
  3. Zoology A transparent spot or marking, as on the wing of a moth or butterfly.
  4. Architecture A windowlike opening.

Origin:

Origin: Latin, window

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Related Forms:

  • fe·nesˈtral adjective

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