APSE
from
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)
apse
n 1: a domed or vaulted recess or projection on a building
especially the east end of a church; usually contains the
altar [syn: {apse}, {apsis}]
from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Apse \Apse\ ([a^]ps), n.; pl. Apses ([a^]p"s[e^]z). [See
{Apsis}.]
1. (Arch.)
(a) 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. Hence:
(b) The bishop's seat or throne, in ancient churches.
[1913 Webster]
2. A reliquary, or case in which the relics of saints were
kept.
[1913 Webster]
Note: This word is also written {apsis} and {absis}.
[1913 Webster]
from
Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0
44 Moby Thesaurus words for "apse":
Easter sepulcher, ambry, arcade, arcature, arch, arched roof,
archway, baptistery, blindstory, camber, ceilinged roof, chancel,
choir, cloisters, concameration, concha, confessional,
confessionary, cove, crypt, cupola, diaconicon, diaconicum, dome,
geodesic dome, igloo, keystone, nave, ogive, porch, presbytery,
rood loft, rood stair, rood tower, sacrarium, sacristy, skewback,
span, transept, triforium, vault, vaulting, vestry, voussoir
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