greenhouse

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   of or relating to or caused by the greenhouse effect

   greenhouse gases

2. 2
   noun

   A building used to grow plants, particularly one with large glass windows or plastic sheeting to trap heat from sunlight even in intemperate seasons or climates.

   The royal party had dined in the greenhouse, the coup d'œil of which was as striking as it was new. Vast stands of the most costly exotics reached to the glass roof, which was partly covered by a luxuriant vine, or by a small scarlet creeper.

3. 3
   noun

   The glass of a plane's cockpit.

   In the slang of the Royal Air Force man, the cockpit of his plane is the ‘pulpit’ or ‘office’, the glass covering over it the ‘greenhouse’.

4. 4
   noun

   A structure that shields the operating table to protect against bacteria.

   Figure 2.6 shows the diagram Charnley published of the airflow in the 'greenhouse'; it can be seen that reasonable downward unidirectional airflow was achieved close to the operating table.

5. 5
   verb

   To nurture in order to promote growth.

   It's almost impossible to make judgements when you're being playful – as by definition it's spontaneous activity – so your baby ideas get nurtured and greenhoused better.

6. 6
   noun

   a building with glass walls and roof

7. 7
   noun

   A hot state in global climate.

8. 8
   verb

   To place (plants) in a greenhouse.

Etymology

From green + house ("house for growing greens"), in reference to the produce grown within.