chevet

American  

[shuh-vey] / ʃəˈveɪ /

noun

1. an apse, as of a Gothic cathedral.

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chevet British  

/ ʃəˈveɪ /

noun

1. a semicircular or polygonal east end of a church, esp a French Gothic church, often with a number of attached apses

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Etymology

Origin of chevet

1800–10; < French, earlier chevès, Old French chevez ≪ Latin capitium opening or covering for the head. See caput

Example Sentences

Chunks of limestone lay on the ground, having fallen from the upper part of the chevet, or the eastern end of the Gothic church.

From Time • Nov. 29, 2

The chevet, which is surrounded by an aisle, is rectangular—a feature found in few French churches.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 4 "Cincinnatus" to "Cleruchy" by Various

The choir, chevet, and apside are of massive building, though not lacking grace, in spite of the absence of the arcs-boutants of the best Gothic.

From The Cathedrals of Southern France by Mansfield, M. F. (Milburg Francisco)

Indeed, it has been questioned as to whether the choir106 and chevet of Notre Dame de Paris is not the most beautiful extant.

From The Cathedrals of Northern France by McManus, Blanche

The original choir was pulled down in the 14th century, and a magnificent chevet of the French type erected in its place.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 4 "Aram, Eugene" to "Arcueil" by Various