A heavy, round window built into the side of a ship to let in light and air. They are framed in brass, steel, or aluminum, and feature thick toughened glass. Most can be dogged down tight with heavy threaded bolts and include a solid metal deadlight that can be clamped shut over the glass to prevent breaches in heavy seas.
Heard on the job
Dog down the portholes on the lower deck before we hit that weather.
Also heard as
- portlight
- scuttle