Apse

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /æps/
• Rhymes: -æps

Origin

Via Latin apsis, from Ancient Greek ἁψίς (hapsis, "arch, vault"), from ἅπτω (haptō, "I bind, join").

Full definition of apse

Noun

1. (architecture) 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. (astronomy, obsolete) The nearest and furthest points to the centre of gravitational attraction for a body in orbit. More usually called an apsis.
5. (obsolete or dialectal) In some local dialects and in archaic usage, an aspen tree.

Anagrams

• apes
• peas
• spae