nave

[ neyv ]

noun

1. the principal longitudinal area of a church, extending from the main entrance or narthex to the chancel, usually flanked by aisles of less height and breadth: generally used only by the congregation.

nave

¹

/ neɪv /

noun

1. the central space in a church, extending from the narthex to the chancel and often flanked by aisles

nave

²

/ neɪv /

noun

1. the central block or hub of a wheel

Word History and Origins

Origin of nave¹

First recorded in 1665–75; from Medieval Latin nāvis, Latin: “ship”; so called from the resemblance in shape

Word History and Origins

Origin of nave¹

C17: via Medieval Latin from Latin nāvis ship, from the similarity of shape

Origin of nave²

Old English nafu, nafa; related to Old High German naba

Example Sentences

On Sept. 24, the Orange County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to retain the law firm of Meyers Nave to assist the county in litigation in connection with the fire.

From Los Angeles Times

On Tuesday, the Orange County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to retain the law firm of Meyers Nave to assist the county in litigation in connection with the fire.

From Los Angeles Times

More than 6,000 tonnes of steel were used to build the nave.

From Seattle Times

Strolling the length of what is known as the nave, a light-filled vaulted space where some 45,000 meals a day will be served 24/7 throughout the Olympics and Paralympics, Stéphane Chicheri and Charles Guilloy, the chefs in charge, sang the praises of vegetarian shawarma, za’atar-spiced sweet potatoes with hummus, cabbage pickles, beetroot falafel and grilled eggplant with smoked paprika.

From New York Times

Any given weekend at the compound can be action-packed; that Saturday, Lazy Eye Gallery opened Michelle Ross’ “Before Pictures,” a show of sculptural paintings inside the nave of a water tower converted into a small funnel of a gallery space with a ladder to the roof that affords a view of the mesa.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• heart
• hub
• place