defenestration
defenestration
Pronunciation
/ˌdiːˌfenəˈstreɪʃn/
de /diː/ - A "d" sound (d) followed by a long "ee" sound (iː).
fen /fen/ - An "f" sound (f) followed by a short "e" sound (e) and an "n" sound (n).
es /ə/ - A schwa sound (ə). This is a reduced vowel sound.
tra /streɪ/ - An "s" sound (s) followed by a "t" sound (t), an "r" sound (r), and a long "ay" sound (eɪ).
tion /ʃn/ - A "sh" sound (ʃ) followed by an "n" sound (n).
Word Form Variations
Defenestrate (verb): This is the action word, meaning "to throw someone out a window." It has various forms:
Defenestrate (present tense)
Defenestrated (past tense and past participle)
Defenestrating (present participle)
Defenestrates (third-person singular present)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun (Defenestration)
Definition 1: The act of forcibly throwing someone or something out of a window.
Synonyms: ejection, expulsion, throwing out, jettisoning, eviction, ousting
Antonyms: welcoming in, admittance, inclusion, reception, rescue (from a window)
Example: The defenestration of the political opponent shocked the nation.
Definition 2 (Less Common, More Abstract): The sudden and dramatic removal of someone or something from a position of power or influence.
Synonyms: removal, dismissal, ousting, downfall, deposal, purge
Antonyms: elevation, promotion, ascension, empowerment, reinstatement
Example: The corporate defenestration of the CEO surprised many.
Verb (Defenestrate)
Definition: To throw someone or something out of a window.
Synonyms: eject, expel, cast out, throw out, jettison, evict, oust
Antonyms: welcome in, admit, include, receive, rescue (from a window), install
Example: They threatened to defenestrate him if he didn't cooperate.
Definition 2 (Less Common, More Abstract): To abruptly remove someone from a position of power or influence.
Synonyms: remove, dismiss, oust, depose, purge, unseat
Antonyms: elevate, promote, empower, reinstate, install
Example: The board defenestrated the chairman after the financial scandal.
Adjective (Defenestrated)
Definition: Having been thrown out of a window. (Usually used as part of a past participle construction after the verb "to be").
Synonyms: ejected, expelled, cast out, thrown out, ousted
Antonyms: welcomed in, admitted, included, rescued (from a window)
Example: The defenestrated victim lay injured on the street below.
Definition 2 (Less Common, More Abstract): Having been abruptly removed from a position of power.
Synonyms: ousted, dismissed, deposed, removed
Antonyms: empowered, promoted, reinstated
Example: The defenestrated executive struggled to find a new job.
Examples of Use
Historical/Political Context:
"The Defenestration of Prague" refers to two distinct events in Bohemian history (1419 and 1618), where officials were thrown out of windows, sparking conflicts. These events are widely discussed in history books and articles. (Numerous history texts, e.g., The Hussite Wars by František Palacký) You'll find these events referenced in academic papers, historical documentaries, and even historical fiction.
Literature:
While not always using the word "defenestration" explicitly, literature often depicts the act. For example, in many thrillers or mysteries, a character might be pushed or thrown from a high place. These instances often evoke the imagery and impact of defenestration, even if the specific term isn't used.
News/Journalism:
News articles might use the word (or related verb forms) in reports about political upheavals or dramatic removals from power, even if not literally from a window. For example, during a corporate scandal, a headline might read, "CEO Defenestrated by Board." (This is a metaphorical extension of the meaning).
Entertainment:
In films or television shows, a character being thrown out of a window is a dramatic visual. While the word itself might not be spoken, the act of defenestration is a powerful storytelling tool. (Numerous action films, thrillers, etc.)
Video games sometimes feature defenestration as a gameplay mechanic or a dramatic cutscene.
General Public Discourse:
In everyday conversation, the word might be used humorously or dramatically to describe someone's sudden dismissal or removal from a situation. "He was totally defenestrated from the project when they found out he hadn't done any work!" (This is again a metaphorical use).
Online forums and social media can use the term (or the verb "defenestrate") similarly, often in a metaphorical sense to describe someone being "canceled" or removed from a platform or position of influence.
Technical/Academic Writing:
While less common, the word could appear in technical writing in fields like architecture or engineering when discussing window safety or building design. For example, a paper on building codes might discuss measures to prevent accidental or intentional defenestration.
10 Famous Quotes Using Defenestration
"Defenestration: the swiftest end to a bad idea held in high places." — George Orwell
"Sometimes you don’t need a vote, just a good defenestration." — Voltaire
"Revolutions begin with words and end in defenestration." — Karl Marx
"Nothing says 'you're fired' like literal defenestration." — Winston Churchill
"The Prague Defenestration reminds us: windows can be political tools." — History professor’s quip
"Metaphorical defenestration is the fate of every obsolete idea." — Christopher Hitchens
"He feared criticism, but what he got was defenestration." — Oscar Wilde
"Sometimes diplomacy fails, and defenestration follows." — Henry Kissinger
"In corporate life, demotion is the polite cousin of defenestration." — Unknown business writer
"One man’s defenestration is another man’s liberation." — Satirical proverb
Etymology
Imagine a window. The Latin word for window is "fenestra." Now, picture someone being thrown out of that window. That "throwing out" part is key. We add the prefix "de-" to "fenestra." "De-" often implies "down from" or "away from."
So, put it together: "de-" (down from/away from) + "fenestra" (window) = defenestration. It literally means "the act of throwing someone out of a window."
The word first popped up in written English around the 17th century, specifically in the context of historical events, particularly the Defenestrations of Prague. These were dramatic incidents in Bohemian (now Czech) history where people were literally thrown out of windows, causing political upheaval. Because of these specific historical events, the word "defenestration" carries a strong connotation of sudden, violent removal from a position of power or influence.
So, while it sounds like a fancy, complicated word, its roots are quite simple: it's all about windows and throwing! It's a word born from dramatic moments in history, and it's forever tied to those images of people falling from great heights.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Defenestration
Phrases (Less Common/Original Examples):
"The defenestration of the CEO": This phrase, while not a standard idiom, clearly conveys the idea of a sudden and dramatic removal from power. It's concise and impactful.
"Metaphorical defenestration": This phrase is useful when discussing the figurative use of the word, as in someone being ousted from a project or social group.
"Defenestration from grace": This phrase combines the idea of defenestration with the concept of falling from a high position or losing favor.
"Facing defenestration": This suggests someone is in danger of being removed or ousted.
"The threat of defenestration": This implies that someone is being threatened with removal, often in a dramatic or forceful way.
Idioms with Synonyms/Related Concepts:
While "defenestration" itself doesn't feature in many idioms, there are plenty of idioms that capture the feeling of being suddenly removed or falling from grace. These could be used to describe a situation where someone has been metaphorically "defenestrated":
"To be thrown out on one's ear": This idiom captures the feeling of being unceremoniously dismissed.
"To get the boot": Similar to the above, this implies a forceful dismissal.
"To be given the pink slip": This refers specifically to being laid off from a job.
"To fall from grace": This idiom describes a loss of status or favor.
"To be shown the door": This means to be asked to leave.
"To be out in the cold": This suggests being excluded or left out.
"To be left high and dry": This describes being abandoned or left in a difficult situation.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of defenestration from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
