skylight
UK: ˈskaɪlaɪt | US: ˈskaɪlaɪt
n. an opening in a roof or ceiling, fitted with glass, to admit daylight.
The word "skylight" is a straightforward compound of "sky" and "light." "Sky" originates from Old Norse "ský," meaning "cloud" or "heaven," while "light" comes from Old English "lēoht," meaning "brightness" or "radiance." The term emerged in the early 17th century to describe a window designed to let in natural light from above, directly referencing its function of bringing "light from the sky." Its construction follows a common English pattern of combining two nouns to form a new, descriptive term.
The attic room felt brighter after we installed a skylight.
She lay on the floor, gazing at the stars through the skylight.
Modern architecture often uses skylights to reduce reliance on artificial lighting.
Rain pattered softly against the glass of the skylight.
The artist’s studio was illuminated by a large north-facing skylight.