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transom

transom

8 8.4
A small window above a door that lets in light or air
  • noun
  • /ˈtræn.səm/
translation icon : transom
  • A large black alarm box was riveted to the ceiling above the barred transom.

And then there's this other question that came in through the transom, which was from Ryan Pack.

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Examples

  • The corner room of an old hotel, the glass transom over the door half open.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Johnny stood at the transom transfixed, staring out at the blue water where the fish had disappeared.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Yes, maybe there was a transom over the bathroom door.

  • There is no light in the transom above the door at the head of the upstairs hall.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Water drips somewhere from a leaky pipe as wind whistles in from the cracked transom above the bathroom door.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • The old farmhouse had a beautiful transom above the entrance door, letting in soft light.

  • She could see the stars through the transom window above the back door of the cabin.

  • The restaurant's entry was adorned with a decorative transom that added charm to its facade.

Synonyms

fanlight
vstransom
1 8.2

A small curved window above a door that lets light in

is similar but includes plain bars or rectangular windows above openings
transom window
vstransom
7.3

A small window above a door that can open to let in light or air

is broader, also meaning a horizontal bar as well as the window
traverse
vstransom
  • Specialized
7.4

A horizontal beam that goes across a structure, often above a door

is different, also referring to an opening or a horizontal bar above doors

Idioms

1 9.9

A writer sends work to a magazine without the magazine asking

Compounds

A small window above a door that can open to let in light or air

How Bright

atrium
21 6.1
clearstory
  • Specialized
9.6
skylight
35 3.4
transom
8 8.4

Surface Forms

transom singular
transoms plural

Etymology

The word transom comes from the old prefix trans- meaning 'across', and it originally named a beam or small window set 'across' the top of a door. So a transom today is the horizontal bar or little window above a door.