navel
/ˈneɪv(ə)l
/noun
1A rounded knotty depression in the centre of a person’s belly caused by the detachment of the umbilical cord after birth; the umbilicus.Abdominal examination revealed a large scar from the navel downwards....
- The child may have low back pain, stomach pain below the navel, or a long-lasting fever.
- An umbilical hernia occurs when part of the intestine protrudes through a weakness in the abdominal wall at the navel.
Synonyms
informal belly button, tummy button
technical umbilicus
1.1The central point of a place: the Incas saw Cuzco as the navel of the world...
- Such men must be honoured and respected, lest chaos engulf the navel of the world yet again.
- Delphi was no longer the navel of the Greek world, acknowledged point of reference for the competing states.
- They named the place Cuzco, " the navel of the world, " and the Inca nation was born.
Synonyms
centre, central point, middle, midpoint, hub, nub, focal point, focus, pivot, nucleus, heart, core, eye
rare omphalos
Phrases
contemplate one's navel
Origin
Old English nafela, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch navel and German Nabel, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin umbo 'boss of a shield', umbilicus 'navel', and Greek omphalos 'boss, navel'. Compare with nave2.