Apse

Quick meaning: Apse is a noun meaning (architecture) The rounded east end of a church that contains or is behind the altar.

Meaning

(architecture) The rounded east end of a church that contains or is behind the altar.

More Meanings

1. A semicircular projection from any building that is similar to a church's apse.
2. The bishop's seat or throne in ancient churches.
3. A reliquary: a case in which the relics of saints are kept.
4. (astronomy) Obsolete form of apsis (“the nearest and furthest points to the centre of gravitational attraction for a body in orbit”).
5. (obsolete or dialectal) An aspen tree.

Example Sentences

Holonyms: church, cathedral

Meronyms: ambulatory, apse chapels

The college has an apse that once held a small chapel.

Near-synonyms: chancel, presbytery, sanctuary (all broadly synonymous)

Word Forms

• apses
• apsides

Synonyms for apse

Depending on context, synonyms include apsis, apside, chancel, presbytery.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include apsis, chevet, apsidole, ressaut, retrochoir, antechapel.

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