nave
pronunciation
How to pronounce nave in British English:
UK [neɪv]
How to pronounce nave in American English:
US [nev]
-
- Noun:
- the central area of a church
Word Origin
- nave (n.1)
- "main part of a church," 1670s, from Medieval Latin navem (nominative navis) "nave of a church," from Latin navis "ship" (see naval), on some fancied resemblance in shape.
- nave (n.2)
- "hub of a wheel," Old English nafu, from Proto-Germanic *nabo- (cognates: Old Saxon naba, Old Norse nöf, Middle Dutch nave, Dutch naaf, Old High German naba, German Nabe), perhaps connected with the root of navel on notion of centrality (compare Latin umbilicus "navel," also "the end of a roller of a scroll," Greek omphalos "navel," also "the boss of a shield").
Example
- 1. For example , the main chamber of the building , which is called the nave , is characteristically taller than it is wide .
- 2. Its enormous dome spanning 33 meters ( 107 feet ) in diameter is set in the center of a 76 meter ( 250 foot ) long central nave .
- 3. We have seen that these could be somewhat nave assumptions .
- 4. It consisted of a high central nave with two parallel aisles on either side separated by colonnades supporting the upper walls and lowpitched roof culminating in an apse and preceded by an atrium or forecourt ( fletcher 1963 ) .
- 5. As a 13th century gothic church , it offers its visitors a breathtaking high ceiling , a majestic nave , grand ornamentation , and an opportunity to worship : not at the great altar of god , but at the many altars of literature .