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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. (obsolete) Obsolete form of apsis.; The nearest and furthest points to the centre of gravitational attraction for a body in orbit. More usually called an apsis.

Synonyms

apsis

arch

concha

exedra

periastron

recess

semicircular room

lower apse

Pronounced as (IPA)

/æps/

Etymology

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