navel

[ ney-vuhl ]

noun

1. umbilicus ( def 1 ).
2. the central point or middle of any thing or place.
3. Heraldry. nombril.

navel

/ ˈneɪvəl /

noun

1. the scar in the centre of the abdomen, usually forming a slight depression, where the umbilical cord was attached Technical nameumbilicus umbilical
2. a central part, location, or point; middle
3. short for navel orange

Word History and Origins

Origin of navel¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English nafela; cognate with Dutch navel, German Nabel, Old Norse nafli; akin to Sanskrit nābhīla, Latin umbilīcus, Greek omphalós

Word History and Origins

Origin of navel¹

Old English nafela; related to Old Frisian navla, Old High German nabulo (German Nabel ), Latin umbilīcus

Example Sentences

A thick line marks a healed cut from just under the man’s neck all the way down to his navel.

From BBC

“Navel orangeworm could be a nightmare … but it could also become less of a problem because all the things that eat it benefit more from the heat than the navel orangeworm,” said Haviland.

From Los Angeles Times

Every year, the navel orangeworm eats through roughly 2% of California’s almonds before they can make it to grocery store shelves.

From Los Angeles Times

Scientists say climate change could make the navel orangeworm problem even worse, with hotter temperatures allowing the moths to reproduce even faster.

From Los Angeles Times

The metabolism of navel orangeworms — like many agricultural pests — is tied to temperature.

From Los Angeles Times