glasshouse

Everyday

1. (UK) A building made mostly of glass where plants are grown, kept warm by the sun; a greenhouse. tree →
2. (UK, slang, old) A military prison. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons a glasshouse (greenhouse) traps the sun's heat so tomatoes and tender plants grow well; the idea helps explain the «greenhouse effect». Proverb: «People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones» — don't criticise others for faults you have yourself.

Examples

• The tomatoes are ripening in the glasshouse. tree →
• Kew Gardens has a huge Victorian glasshouse full of palm trees. tree →
• It is warm inside the glasshouse even in winter. tree →
• We grew seedlings in a little glasshouse at school. tree →
• People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. tree →
• The gardener opened the glasshouse windows on a hot day. tree →

Note

Countable. «Glasshouse» is mostly British; «greenhouse» is used everywhere. The proverb is usually written as two words: «glass houses».