[a. L. fenestella, dim. of fenestra window.]
1. Arch. a. A small window-like niche in the wall on the south side of the altar, containing the piscina and often the credence.
1797. Gentl. Mag., LXVII. II. 649. A fenestella in the South wall of the chancel.
1839. Stonehouse, Axholme, 226. The fenestella, or small niche, contained a vessel, bason, or piscina, for washing the hands.
1842. Ecclesiologist, II. Nov., 56. Mention however is made of a Chancel, and of two Sedilia, and a Fenestella with Credence-shelf.
b. A small window.
1848. B. Webb, Continent. Eccles., 57. In the north part of the apse may be seen some remains of plaistering and fresco and of a dedication-cross: and south of the apse the dwarf-wall is pierced by a broad fenestella with a trefoliated head opening through into the aisle. This in England would be called a ‘lychnoscope.’
1849. Weale, Dict. Terms, 183/1. Fenestella … a little window.
2. Zool. (See quots.)
1854. Murchison, Siluria, ix. (1867), 188. The species [of Lower Silurian Zoophytes] with a net-like form, Fenestella and Retepora. Ibid., x. (1867), 217. The beautiful little cup-shaped Fenestella of the Wenlock limestone.
1879. Rossiter, Dict. Sci. Terms, Fenestella.… A polyzoon; known by many fossil remains in Devonian limestone and other rocks.
