Defenestration

Matthäus Merian's impression of the 1618 Defenestration of Prague

Defenestration (from Neo-Latin de fenestrā) is the act of throwing someone or something out of a window. The term was coined around the time of an incident in Prague Castle in the year 1618 which became the spark that started the Thirty Years' War. This was done in "good Bohemian style", referring to the defenestration which had occurred in Prague's New Town Hall almost 200 years earlier (July 1419), and on that occasion led to the Hussite war. The word comes from the Neo-Latin de- (down from) and fenestra (window or opening).

By extension, the term is also used to describe the forcible or summary removal of an adversary.

Origin

The term originates from two incidents in history, both occurring in Prague. In 1419, seven town officials were thrown from the New Town Hall, precipitating the Hussite War. In 1618, two Imperial governors and their secretary were tossed from the Prague Castle, sparking the Thirty Years' War. These incidents, particularly that in 1618, were referred to as the Defenestrations of Prague and gave rise to the term and the concept.

The word itself is derived from Neo-Latin defenestratio; with dē meaning "out" + fenestra meaning "window" + -atio as a suffix indicating an action or process.

Notable cases

The defenestration of the Biblical Queen Jezebel at Jezreel, by Gustave Doré
The Bishop of Lisbon D. Martinho de Zamora is thrown by the revolted populace from the cathedral's bell tower, as depicted by Roque Gameiro, in 1904.
Giorgio Vasari's impression of the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre

Notable autodefenestrations

A stuntman diving out a window

Autodefenestration (or self-defenestration) is the term used for the act of jumping, propelling oneself, or causing oneself to fall, out of a window.

References

  1. ↑ "Meaning of defenestration in English". Oxford English Dictionary. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020.
  2. ↑ Oxford English Dictionary
  3. ↑ Swedish encyclopedia NE2000, digital version, article "defenestrestrationerna i Prag"
  4. ↑ same ref.; "New Latin" could be said to be the collection of "Latin" words which wasn't in use by the Romans
  5. ↑ Harper, Douglas (2001). "defenestration". Online Etymological Dictionary. Archived from the original on October 10, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Latin American Herald Tribune - Caracas Metromayor's 'Political Defenestration' All But Complete in Venezuela". www.laht.com. Archived from the original on April 14, 2018. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
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