navel

American  

[ney-vuhl] / ˈneɪ vəl /

noun

1. umbilicus.

2. the central point or middle of any thing or place.

3. Heraldry. nombril.

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navel British  

/ ˈneɪvəl /

noun

1. Technical name: umbilicus.  the scar in the centre of the abdomen, usually forming a slight depression, where the umbilical cord was attached

2. a central part, location, or point; middle

3. short for navel orange

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Etymology

Origin of navel

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

Example Sentences

If you get a stud in your navel or a little tattoo on your ankle, you aren’t likely to look back later and kick yourself.

From The Wall Street Journal

The anger is rumbling somewhere behind my navel.

From Literature

“My latest deep dive into my own navel,” he texted two weeks ago with his new article on the famed architect behind his historic home in Studio City’s foothills.

From Los Angeles Times

"As I sit here now, all day long that was an illegal blow. It's not about the belt line it's wear the navel is," Warren said.

From BBC

Lose, though, and it's navel gazing time again.

From BBC