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Porthole
A porthole, sometimes called bull’s-eye window or bull’s-eye, is a generally circular window used on the hull of ships to admit light and air. Though the term is of maritime origin, it is also used to describe round windows on armored vehicles, aircraft, automobiles (the Ford Thunderbird a notable example) and even spacecraft.
On a ship, the function of a porthole, when open, is to permit light and fresh air to enter the dark and often damp below-deck quarters of the vessel. It also affords below-deck occupants a limited, but often much needed view to the outside world. When closed, the porthole provides a strong water-tight, weather-tight and sometimes light-tight barrier.
A porthole on a ship may also be called a sidescuttle or side scuttle (side hole), as officially termed in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea. This term is used in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations. It is also used in related rules and regulations for the construction of ships. The use of the word “sidescuttle” instead of “porthole” is meant to be broad, including any covered or uncovered hole in the side of the vessel.
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Porthole (noun)
A circular window set in the hull of a ship.
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Portal (noun)
An entrance, entry point, or means of entry.
“The local library, a portal of knowledge.”
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Portal (noun)
A website or page that acts as an entrance to other websites or pages on the Internet.
“The new medical portal has dozens of topical categories containing links to hundreds of sites.”
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Portal (noun)
A short vein that carries blood into the liver.
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Portal (noun)
A magical or technological doorway leading to another location, period in time or dimension.
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Portal (noun)
A lesser gate, where there are two of different dimensions.
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Portal (noun)
Formerly, a small square corner in a room separated from the rest of an apartment by wainscoting, forming a short passage to another apartment.
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Portal (noun)
A grandiose and often lavish entrance.
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Portal (noun)
The space, at one end, between opposite trusses when these are terminated by inclined braces.
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Portal (noun)
A prayer book or breviary; a portass.
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Portal (adjective)
Of or relating to a porta, especially the porta of the liver.
“the portal vein”
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Porthole (noun)
a small window on the outside of a ship or aircraft.
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Porthole (noun)
an opening for firing a cannon through.
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Portal (noun)
a doorway, gate, or other entrance, especially a large and imposing one.
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Portal (noun)
a website or web page providing access or links to other sites
“many healthcare providers already utilize portals through which a patient can access test results”
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Portal (adjective)
relating to an opening in an organ through which major blood vessels pass, especially the transverse fissure of the liver.