win|dow

win|dow «WIHN doh», noun, verb.

–n.

1. an opening, as in a wall or roof of a building, boat, or car, to let in light or air, usually enclosed by a frame that holds a movable sash or sashes fitted with panes of glass: »

a good view from the window. But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? (Shakespeare).

2. such an opening with the frame, sashes, and panes of glass.

3. the sashes and panes that fit such an opening: »

to open the window.

4. = windowpane: (Cf. ↑windowpane) »

to break a window.

5. Figurative. a) an opening like a window in shape or use, such as the transparent part of some envelopes through which the address is seen. b) anything suggesting a window: »

The window of my heart, mine eye (Shakespeare).

6. a rectangular area occupying all or part of a computer display screen.

7. a) Aeronautics. the conjunction of time and planetary position in a condition that permits successful space flight; launch window: »

The Soviet and American vehicles flew to Venus close together because both were fired during one of the periodic windows for such shots (New York Times).

b) Figurative. a period considered as the most favorable or advantageous for any undertaking: »

There is “a three-day window” for a new PM to decide on the nature of his ministry (Maclean's).

8. a region of the electromagnetic spectrum, such as the radio region, whose radiation is not absorbed by the earth's atmosphere and is able to reach the earth: »

One window is that portion called the visible spectrum through which the optical telescopes receive their information (New Scientist).

9. Also, Window. strips of metal foil dropped from airplanes to interfere with enemy radar by reflecting the radar beams.

–v.t.

to furnish with windows or openings likened to windows.

╂[< Scandinavian (compare Old Icelandic vindauga < vindr wind, gust + auga eye)]

–win´dow|less, adjective.