fĕnestra, ae (also contr. festra, Enn. ap. Macr. S. 3, 12; Petr. Fragm. p. 872 Burm.; cf. Paul. ex Fest. p. 91, 6 Müll.), f. [root ΦΑΝ, in φαίνω, φανερός],
I an opening in the wall to admit the light , a window (orig. closed by two wooden shutters or by curtains, and not till the empire by sheets of mica, lapis specularis; cf. Dict. of Antiq. p. 520 sq.): neque fenestra, nisi clatrata, Plaut. Mil. 2, 4, 26: fenestras indere, id. Rud. 1, 1, 6: fenestrarum angustias quod reprehendis, Cic. Att. 2, 3, 2: bifores, Ov. P. 3, 3, 5: juncta, closed , * Hor. C. 1, 25, 1; cf. patulae, Ov. M. 14, 752: reticulatae, Varr. R. R. 3, 7, 3: se plena per insertas fundebat luna fenestras, Verg. A. 3, 152: diversas percurrens luna fenestras, Prop. 1, 3, 31 Burm. ad loc.: fenestram in arca facies, Vulg. Gen. 6, 16 et saep.—
II Transf.
1 A loop-hole for arrows, etc.: (in turri) fenestras ad tormenta mittenda, in struendo reliquerunt, Caes. B. C. 2, 9 fin. —
2 The recess of a window : concludere in fenestram firmiter, Plaut. Cas. 1, 44.—
3 A breach made by besiegers in a wall: excisa trabe firma cavavit Robora et ingentem lato dedit ore fenestram, Verg. A. 2, 482.—
4 Of the senses, windows for intelligence: ut facile intelligi possit, animum et videre et audire, non eas partes, quae quasi fenestrae sint animi, Cic. Tusc. 1, 20, 46—
B Poet., transf., of holes through the tips of the ears: natus ad Euphraten, molles quod in aure fenestrae Arguerint, Juv. 1, 104.—
II Trop., an entrance , admission , opportunity , inlet , occasion (very seldom): hui quantam fenestram ad nequitiam patefeceris! Ter. Heaut. 481: si hanc fenestram aperueritis, nihil aliud agi sinetis, Tiber. ap. Suet. Tib. 28.