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Meaning

1. A semicircular projection from a building, especially the rounded east end of a church that contains the altar.
2. The bishop's seat or throne in ancient churches.
3. A reliquary, or case in which the relics of saints were kept.
4. (alt-of, obsolete) Obsolete form of apsis (“the nearest and furthest points to the centre of gravitational attraction for a body in orbit”).

Synonyms

apsis

arch

concha

exedra

periastron

recess

semicircular room

lower apse

Translations

abside

Apsis

ábside

abside

apsis

abside

αψίδα

absis

ábside

Apside

κόγχη

apside

absida

Pronounced as (IPA)

/æps/

Etymology

From Latin apsis, hapsis, from Ancient Greek ἁψίς (hapsís, “arch, vault”), from ἅπτω (háptō, “I bind, join”).