nave

views updated Jun 11 2018

nave. Central clerestoreyed aisle of a basilican church, or the main body of the church between the western wall and the chancel, whether aisled or not, used by the laity. The nave was often separated from the choir by a screen, and from the aisles by nave-arcades which support the clerestorey. A nave-chapel is one on either side of a nave, e.g. in aisles, separated by screens.

A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture JAMES STEVENS CURL

nave

views updated May 21 2018

nave¹ / nāv/ • n. the central part of a church building, intended to accommodate most of the congregation. In traditional Western churches it is rectangular, separated from the chancel by a step or rail, and from adjacent aisles by pillars.nave² • n. the hub of a wheel.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

nave

views updated May 14 2018

nave1 central block of a wheel. OE. nafu and nafa, corr. to MDu. nave (Du. naaf), OHG. naba (G. nabe), ON. nǫf :- Gmc. *naƀō, rel. to Latv. naba navel, Skr. náƀhi- nave, navel; cf. NAVEL.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

nave

views updated Jun 11 2018

nave the central part of a church building, intended to accommodate most of the congregation. In traditional Western churches it is rectangular, separated from the chancel by a step or rail, and from adjacent aisles by pillars. Recorded from the late 17th century, the word comes from Latin navis ‘ship’.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

nave

views updated Jun 27 2018

nave2 main body of a church. XVII. — medL. spec. use of L. nāvis ship (see NAVAL).

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

nave

views updated May 18 2018

nave (Lat. navis, ship) Central, main area of a church or cathedral. It extends from the main entrance to the transepts and includes the main aisle. It is the congregation's seating area.

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