window
window
UK[ˈwɪndəʊ]US[ˈwɪndoʊ]
n
An opening in a wall, door, or vehicle, usually fitted with glass, that allows light and air to enter and people to see out.
n
A framed area on a computer screen displaying a particular program or data.
Etymology
The word 'window' originates from the Old Norse 'vindauga', a compound of 'vindr' meaning 'wind' and 'auga' meaning 'eye'. It literally translates to 'wind-eye', a poetic description of a hole in a wall or roof that allowed air and light to enter. This term was adopted into Middle English from Old Norse speakers during the Viking Age, replacing the Old English term 'ēagþȳrl', which also meant 'eye-hole'. The modern abstract meaning, referring to the glazed frame itself, evolved as architectural technology advanced, while the core concept of an opening for light and air remained central.
Analysis
The word 'window' is a simplex word derived from Old Norse. It cannot be meaningfully segmented into smaller morphemes based on its modern English spelling.
Examples
She sat by the window, watching the rain fall.
Please close the window; it's getting cold in here.
I have too many open windows on my computer desktop.