Narthex Definition

närthĕks
noun
In early Christian churches, a porch or portico at the west end for penitents and others not admitted to the church itself.
Webster's New World
Any church vestibule leading to the nave.
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Narthex

Noun

Singular:
narthex
Plural:
narthexes, narthices

Origin of Narthex

  • Late Greek narthēx from Greek giant fennel (plant of the genus Ferula, whose hollow stem could be used to store items), case for storing unguents (perhaps used in Late Greek to describe narthexes in churches because these are sometimes narrow passages or because catechumens were anointed there before baptism) perhaps akin to Sanskrit naḍaḥ reed

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Ancient Greek νάρθηξ (narthÄ“ks, “giant fennel"), later "˜casket' (modern Greek νάρθηκας (nárthikas)).

    From Wiktionary

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