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Origin and history of window

window(n.)

"opening in a wall to admit air or light," c. 1200, windou, literally "wind eye," from Old Norse vindauga (Old Danish vindue), from vindr "wind" (see wind (n.1)) + auga "eye" (from PIE root *okw- "to see"). Related: Windowed.

It replaced Old English eagþyrl, literally "eye-hole," and eagduru, "eye-door." Compare Old Frisian andern "window," etymologically "breath-door."

Originally in reference to an unglazed hole in a roof. Most Germanic languages later adopted a version of Latin fenestra (such as German Fenster, Swedish fönster) for windows fitted with frames and glass, which came into extensive use 11c., and English used fenester as a parallel word till mid-16c.

Window dressing in reference to shop windows is recorded from 1853; figurative sense is by 1898. Window-box for flowers or other plants is by 1852. Window seat, one by or under a window, is attested from 1778. Window of opportunity (1979) is from earlier figurative use in U.S. space program, such as launch window (1963). Window-shopping is recorded from 1904.

Window shopping, according to the women, is the king of outdoor sports. Whenever a woman gets down town and has 2 or 3 hours and no money to spend, she goes window shopping. She gives the Poiret gowns and the thousand dollar furs the double O and then kids herself into believing she'd look like Lillian Russell or Beverly Bayne if she had 'em on. It's great for developing the imagination and one of the great secrets of conserving the bankroll. ... [Motor Age, Jan. 27, 1916]

also from c. 1200

Entries linking to window

wind(n.1)

"air naturally in motion; a perceptible current of air from a particular direction;" Old English wind, from Proto-Germanic *winda-, from PIE *wē-nt-o‑ "blowing," suffixed (participial) form of root *we- "to blow."

Normal pronunciation evolution made this word rhyme with kind and rind (Donne rhymes it with mind and Thomas Moore with behind), but it shifted to a short vowel 18c., probably from influence of windy, where the short vowel is natural.

Symbolic of emptiness and vanity since c. 1200; from Middle English also of swiftness, transience, changeability.

I have forgot much, Cynara! gone with the wind. [Ernest Dowson, 1896]

With suggestion of force, agency, influence also by c. 1200, from wind as the driving force of a vessel on water. As in winds of change, a phrase attested by 1905 but popularized in Harold Macmillan's 1960 South Africa speech. Other images are from winds as favorable or not for navigation. To take the wind out of (one's) sails in the figurative sense (by 1883) is an image from sailing, where a ship without wind can make no progress.

The meaning "breath in and out of the lungs" is attested from late Old English; especially "breath in speaking" (early 14c.); hence long-winded. It also meant "easy or regular breathing" (early 14c.), hence second wind in the figurative sense (by 1830), an image from the sport of hunting. The meaning "part of the abdomen where a blow causes temporary loss of breathing power" is by 1823 in pugilism slang (see wind (v.2)).

As "air contained in something" (as in windbag), from late Old English. By mid-14c. as "gas in the body," especially air in the digestive organs.

Winds "orchestral instruments that produce sound by streams of breath or air" is by 1876, from wind-instrument. Also compare windfall, windbreak, etc. An old word for a broad-brimmed hat was wind-cutter (1610s).

The figurative phrase which way the wind blows for "the current state of affairs" is suggested from mid-14c. (how þe wynd was went). To get wind of "receive information about" is by 1809, perhaps inspired by French avoir le vent de.

Wind-chill index, to measure the cooling factor of wind, is recorded from 1939. Wind energy is attested by 1976. Wind vane is from 1725. Wind-shear by 1951.

Germanic cognates include Old Saxon, Old Frisian, Middle Dutch, Dutch wind, Old Norse vindr, Old High German wind, German Wind, Gothic winds.

bow-window(n.)

"window built so as to project from a wall, curved segmentally," 1753, from bow (n.1) + window.