lunette

[ loo-net ]

noun

1. any of various objects or spaces of crescentlike or semicircular outline or section.
2. Architecture. (in the plane of a wall) an area enframed by an arch or vault.
3. a painting, sculpture, or window filling such an area.
4. Fortification. a work consisting of a salient angle with two flanks and an open gorge.
5. Ordnance. a towing ring in the trail plate of a towed vehicle, as a gun carriage.
6. Ecclesiastical. Luna ( def 3 ).

lunette

/ luːˈnɛt /

noun

1. anything that is shaped like a crescent
2. an oval or circular opening to admit light in a dome
3. a semicircular panel containing a window, mural, or sculpture
4. a ring attached to a vehicle, into which a hook is inserted so that it can be towed
5. a type of fortification like a detached bastion
6. Also calledlune RC Church a case fitted with a bracket to hold the consecrated host

Word History and Origins

Origin of lunette¹

1570–80; < French, diminutive of lune moon < Latin lūna; -ette

Word History and Origins

Origin of lunette¹

C16: from French: crescent, from lune moon, from Latin lūna

Example Sentences

Garland's brigade, advancing between the citadel and the first lunette, reached the city with heavy loss.

From Project Gutenberg

An attempt Assault of Monterey on the second lunette failed with heavy loss to the Americans.

From Project Gutenberg

The situation of the chapel prompted us to look over the ground for traces of a lunette bastion on the counterscarp.

From Project Gutenberg

The fresco in the lunette is by Michele di Ridolfo Ghirlandaio.

From Project Gutenberg

These soon silenced its guns, and the lunette was abandoned by the garrison.

From Project Gutenberg