window
/ˈwɪndoʊ/
noun
Origin
Old Norse
vindauga — wind-eye
Overview
Meaning Now
- An opening in a wall, door, or vehicle that allows the passage of light and air, usually fitted with a frame containing glass.
- A period or opportunity for action.
- A visual area on a computer screen containing a specific application or document.
Literal older meaning
wind-eye
Language path
Old Norse → Middle English → English
Earliest form
vindauga
Earliest period
13th century
Journey
In Old Norse and early Germanic architecture, windows were often just unglazed holes in the wall, functioning as 'eyes' that allowed the wind and light to enter the house, hence the literal translation of 'wind-eye'.
Evolution
- Old Norse
vindauga
“wind-eye”
Compound of vindr (wind) and auga (eye).
- Middle English
windowe
“an opening in a wall”
Adopted into Middle English as the word 'eagthyrl' (eye-hole) fell out of use.
- Early Modern English
window
“an opening fitted with glass”
Standardization of spelling.
Connections
Word parts
wind
root
air in motion
ow
root
eye
Related across languages
Old Swedish
vindögha
wind-eye
Danish
vindue
window
Related words
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.