from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Navel \Na"vel\ (n[=a]"v'l), n. [AS. nafela, fr. nafu nave; akin
to D. navel, G. nabel, OHG. nabolo, Icel. nafli, Dan. navle,
Sw. nafle, L. umbilicus, Gr. 'omfalo`s, Skr. n[=a]bh[imac]la.
[root]260. See {Nave} hub, and cf. {Omphalic}, {Nombril},
{Umbilical}.]
1. (Anat.) A mark or depression in the middle of the abdomen;
the umbilicus; called also {belly button} in humans. See
{Umbilicus}.
[1913 Webster]
2. The central part or point of anything; the middle.
[1913 Webster]
Within the navel of this hideous wood,
Immured in cypress shades, a sorcerer dwells.
--Milton.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Gun.) An eye on the under side of a carronade for
securing it to a carriage.
[1913 Webster]
{Navel gall}, a bruise on the top of the chine of the back of
a horse, behind the saddle. --Johnson.
{Navel point}. (Her.) Same as {Nombril}.
[1913 Webster]