navel

Definition

The indentation or bump remaining in the abdomen of placental mammals where the umbilical cord was attached before birth.

Etymology

From Middle English navel, navele, from Old English nafola, from Proto-West Germanic *nabulō, from Proto-Germanic *nabalô (compare West Frisian nâle, Dutch navel, German Nabel), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃nóbʰōl (compare Old Irish imbliu, Latin umbilīcus, Ancient Greek ὀμφαλός (omphalós), Persian ناف (nâf), Kurdish navik, Sanskrit नाभि (nābhi)), diminutive of *h₃nebʰ-. Doublet of omphalos. More at nave.

Example Sentences

• "Within the navel of this hideous wood, Immured in cypress shades, a sorcerer dwells, Of Bacchus and Circe born, great Comus"
• "Sweeter than the muſk of Tatar, the morning breeze from the navel of every flower raviſhed perfume."
• "We sat alfresco on the edge of a “square,” in reality a pond of cobbly mud with a plinth plonked in its navel […]"

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