Word: Fanlight
Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: A fanlight is a type of window that is usually located above a door or another window. It is often shaped like a half-circle, resembling the shape of a fan. These windows can have sash bars, which are the thin strips of wood or metal that divide the window into smaller sections, similar to the ribs of a fan.
Usage Instructions:
When to Use: You can use the word "fanlight" when describing a specific architectural feature of a building, especially when talking about doors or windows.
How to Use: You can say, "The front door of the house has a beautiful fanlight above it."
Example Sentence:
Advanced Usage:
In architecture, fanlights can be a significant design element, enhancing the appearance of a building and allowing natural light to enter. You might encounter fanlights in discussions about historical or traditional building styles.
Word Variants:
Different Meanings:
While "fanlight" primarily refers to the window above a door or window, in some contexts, it can also refer to similar windows located in roofs, which serve to allow daylight into a space.
Synonyms:
Transom window: Often used interchangeably, though a transom window can refer to any window above a door, regardless of shape.
Clerestory: A type of window that is set high in a wall to let in light but is typically used in a different architectural context.
Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
“Light at the end of the tunnel”: This idiom refers to hope or a positive outcome after a long period of difficulty, similar to how a fanlight lets light into a dark space.
There are no direct phrasal verbs associated specifically with "fanlight."
Summary:
A fanlight is a decorative window above a door, often in a semicircular shape, that allows light into a building.