: a niche like a window in the south wall of the sanctuary near the altar (as of a Roman Catholic church) containing the piscina and often also the credence
b
: a small window or opening like a window (as in an altar front for allowing relics within to be seen)
2
capitalized
[New Latin, from Latin, small window]: a genus (the type of the family Fenestellidae) of Paleozoic bryozoans whose colonies form lacy fronds compare lace bryozoan
Word History
Etymology
Latin, small opening or window, diminutive of fenestra window
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