The word "dormer" is spelled with s second "r" at the end. Its IPA phonetic transcription is /ˈdɔːmər/. The word is derived from the French word "dormir" which means "to sleep", referring to the dormer's original purpose of providing light and ventilation to sleeping quarters in the attic. A dormer is a vertical window opening set into a pitched roof, typically with its own roof that projects out from the slope. The extended projection is where the spelling of "dormer-window" comes from, denoting a window in a dormer.
A dormer, also commonly referred to as a dormer-window, is a structural element in architecture that protrudes from a sloping roof. It is designed to create additional space and provide natural light and ventilation to an attic or upper level of a building. Typically made of wood or metal, a dormer is constructed by extending the plane of a roof, resulting in a window that projects vertically from the roofline.
Dormers come in various shapes and sizes, including gable, hipped, shed, or eyebrow dormers, each presenting a distinctive architectural style. Gable dormers feature a pointed roof, often with a window positioned in the gable end. Hipped dormers have sloping roofs on all sides, blending seamlessly with the overall roofline. Shed dormers have a low-pitched roof that slopes downwards, providing additional headroom within the attic space. Eyebrow dormers have a curved roofline, resembling an arched or eyebrow shape.
The purpose of a dormer is primarily practical. By expanding the living space under a sloping roof, dormers increase the usable area of an upper level or attic. They also allow natural light to flood into these spaces, making them more comfortable to inhabit. Additionally, dormers offer architectural interest and can enhance the aesthetic appeal of a building, giving it a distinctive look and character.
In summary, a dormer or dormer-window is a structural feature projecting from a sloping roof, creating additional space, natural light, and ventilation in an attic or upper level of a building.
An upright window placed on a sloping roof giving light to the chambers next the roof, formerly allotted for sleeping apartments.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.