omphaloskepsis

Definition

The contemplation of or meditation upon one's navel; navel-gazing.

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ὀμφαλός (omphalós, “navel”) + σκέψις (sképsis, “perception, reflection”).

Example Sentences

• "Act we must; for we cannot sit rapt in educational omphaloscepsis while youngsters grow up and become the fathers and mothers of the next generation."
• "1952, William Harold Ingrams, Hong Kong, H. M. Stationery Off., page 22, … like the Muslims who saw Mecca as the world's navel, the British saw London as the world's capital. Omphaloscepsis has always been one of the world's troubles."
• "Calamy alone is not debunked; and Calamy has defended omphaloskepsis and has set himself the ideal of free personal contemplation and recollection."