Navel definition

nāvəl

The mark on the surface of the abdomen of mammals where the umbilical cord was attached during gestation.

noun

A central point; a middle.

noun

The small scar, usually a depression in the middle of the abdomen, marking the place where the umbilical cord was attached to the fetus; umbilicus.

noun

Any centrally located point, part, or place.

noun

The mark on the surface of the abdomen of mammals where the umbilical cord was attached during gestation.

noun

(anatomy) The indentation or bump remaining in the abdomen of mammals where the umbilical cord was attached before birth.

noun

The central part or point of anything; the middle.

Within the navel of this hideous wood, / Immured in cypress shades, a sorcerer dwells. "” Milton.

noun

Other Word Forms

Singular:

navel

Plural:

navels

Middle English from Old English nafela nobh- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Middle English, navel, navele, from Old English nafela, from Proto-Germanic *nabalô (compare West Frisian nâle, Dutch navel, German Nabel), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃nobÊ°ilos (compare Irish imleac, Latin umbilicus, Ancient Greek ὀμφαλός (omphalós)), diminutive of *h₃nobÊ°- (compare English nave). More at nave.

From Wiktionary