meaning - Why does "defenestrate" mean "throw someone out a window" and not "remove a window"?


When I fenestrate something I put a window into it. But when I defenestrate I throw someone out of a window. Why does defenestrate not mean "remove a window"?


As examples - when someone has a detox they remove toxins. When someone de-clutters they remove clutter.



Answer



ODO gives its etymology (at defenestration) as



early 17th century: from modern Latin defenestratio(n-), from de- 'down from' + Latin fenestra 'window'.



That is, de- does not mean "remove" in this case; it retains its Latin meaning.


De- has a variety of meanings, but the sense of "removal" or "negation" comes ultimately from dis-.


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