English

Noun

fenestration ‎(countable and uncountable, plural fenestrations)

1. (architecture) The arrangement of windows and other openings in a building.
2. (surgery) An opening in the surface of an organ etc; the surgical creation of such an opening, especially one in the bony part of the inner ear made to improve hearing.
3. (surgery) An opening that occurs naturally or is created surgically, as through a biological membrane.
4. (botany) Either a translucent area in a structure such as a leaf or flower petal, or an opening in a structure.
   • 2005 S. Tucker, Australian Systematic Botany 19(3):193–210. p. 194

     The terms ‘nectar window’ and ‘fenestration’ are used interchangeably for enlarged gaps on the adaxial side of the stamen sheath or tube. The fenestrations facilitate access to the nectaries by a pollinator.

   • 2016 D. W. Armitage, Systematic Botany 103(4):780–785. p. 781

     

     Darlingtonia leaves have fenestrations.

     Foliar traits unique to Darlingtonia include the presence of transparent light-transmitting fenestrations, ...

5. (nautical) The practice of placing holes in the rudder of a ship to reduce the work required to move the rudder while preserving its ability to steer the ship.

Derived terms

• interfenestration

Related terms

• fenestrated (having windows)

Translations