narthex
[ nahr-theks ]
/ ˈnɑr θɛks /
noun Architecture.
an enclosed passage between the main entrance and the nave of a church.
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Origin of narthex
1665–75; < Late Greek nárthēx, Greek: giant fennel
OTHER WORDS FROM narthex
nar·the·cal [nahr-thee-kuh l] /nɑrˈθi kəl/, adjectiveWords nearby narthex
narrow-minded, narrowback, narrowband, narrowcast, narrows, narthex, narva, narvik, narváez, narwhal, nary
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for narthex
British Dictionary definitions for narthex
narthex
/ (ˈnɑːθɛks) /
noun
a portico at the west end of a basilica or church, esp one that is at right angles to the nave
a rectangular entrance hall between the porch and nave of a church
Word Origin for narthex
C17: via Latin from Medieval Greek: enclosed porch, enclosure (earlier: box), from Greek narthēx giant fennel, the stems of which were used to make boxes
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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