Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun Architecture A usually semicircular or polygonal, often vaulted recess, especially the termination of the sanctuary end of a church.
- noun Astronomy An apsis.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun . In architecture: Strictly, any recess, or the termination of a building, of semicircular plan, covered by a semicircular vault or semi-dome; hence, a similar feature of polygonal plan.
- noun In ordinary use, the termination of the choir or
- noun sanctuary of any church, particularly if it presents a superficial resemblance to an apse in the stricter sense, in that it is at least approximately semicircular in plan, and vaulted: commonly equivalent to chevet, and applied to the altar extremity of a church, even if of rectangular plan and not vaulted, and including the apse-aisles, chapels, and any other adjunct to the ritual east end of a church.
- noun . In astronomy, same as
apsis .
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun A projecting part of a building, esp. of a church, having in the plan a polygonal or semicircular termination, and, most often, projecting from the east end. In early churches the Eastern apse was occupied by seats for the bishop and clergy.
- noun The bishop's seat or throne, in ancient churches.
- noun A reliquary, or case in which the relics of saints were kept.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun architecture A semicircular projection from a building, especially the rounded east end of a
church that contains thealtar . - noun The
bishop 'sseat orthrone inancient churches . - noun A
reliquary , orcase in which therelics ofsaints were kept. - noun astronomy, obsolete The nearest and furthest points to the centre of
gravitational attraction for abody inorbit . More usually called anapsis . - noun In some local dialects and in archaic usage, an
aspen tree.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a domed or vaulted recess or projection on a building especially the east end of a church; usually contains the altar
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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The term apse was first used in reference to a Roman basilica, of which it was a characteristic feature.
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 1: Aachen-Assize 1840-1916 1913
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The central apse is rectangular and heavy, the little southern apse is short and round, and that of the north is tall and thin as a pepper-box.
Cathedrals and Cloisters of the South of France, Volume 1 Elise Whitlock Rose
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Preceding the apse was a bema, or altar podium, measuring 5.63 meters.
Interactive Dig Sagalassos - Apollo Klarios Sanctuary Report 1 2003
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Bema with the Ascension; in the apse is the Virgin above, the Divine
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 4 "Bulgaria" to "Calgary" Various
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The nave and porch were floored with plain red tesserae: in the apse was a simple mosaic panel in red, black and white.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 "Brescia" to "Bulgaria" Various
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From the apse, which is semicircular, radiate at a lower level five semicircular chapels, their roofs terminating in a cornice of tiny stone interlaced arches.
The South of France—East Half C. B. Black
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In the apse is the chapel of Saint Théofrède; with sculptured stone roof.
The South of France—East Half C. B. Black
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The change effected in the apse was the most noticeable; not only were the two upper tiers of Norman windows replaced by Decorated ones of larger size, but the three lowest ones in the centre were altogether removed, and their place taken by lofty archways, when the new building was built.
The Cathedral Church of Peterborough A Description Of Its Fabric And A Brief History Of The Episcopal See W.D. Sweeting
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At the foot of Mt. Besset, near the Durolle, is the church of St. Moutiers, of the 11th cent., excepting the square apse, which is of the 7th.
The South of France—East Half C. B. Black
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The parapet of open work which runs round the summit of the apse is another beautiful feature of the exterior of the eastern part of the church.
chained_bear commented on the word apse
Semi-circular projection. Tower that is round-fronted or U-shaped.
August 24, 2008