Apsis

//ˈæpsɪs// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A recess or projection, with a dome or vault, at the east end of a church.

    "Like Henry's collegiate church […] the cathedral is a cruciform basilica of the double bay system with four square bays in the central nave, western transoms, a quadrum for the choir, an apsis, and a transept with auxiliary apses."

  2. 2
    a domed or vaulted recess or projection on a building especially the east end of a church; usually contains the altar wordnet
  3. 3
    Either of the points in the elliptical orbit of a planet, comet, or moon where it is closest or furthest from the body it orbits; examples are perihelion, aphelion, perigee, and apogee.

Etymology

From Latin apsis, hapsis, from Ancient Greek ἁψίς (hapsís, “arch, vault”). See also apse.

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