nave

noun

1. the principal longitudinal area of a church, extending from the main entrance or narthex to the chancel, usually flanked by aisles of less height and breadth: generally used only by the congregation.

noun

1. the central space in a church, extending from the narthex to the chancel and often flanked by aisles

noun

1. the central block or hub of a wheel

1“main part of a church,” 1670s, from Medieval Latin navem (nominative navis) “nave of a church,” from Latin navis “ship” (see naval), on some fancied resemblance in shape. 2“hub of a wheel,” Old English nafu, from Proto-Germanic *nabo- (cf. Old Saxon naba, Old Norse nöf, Middle Dutch nave, Dutch naaf, Old High German naba, German Nabe), perhaps connected with the root of navel on notion of centrality (cf. Latin umbilicus “navel,” also “the end of a roller of a scroll,” Greek omphalos “navel,” also “the boss of a shield”).