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navel

Pronunciation: /ˈneɪv(ə)l/

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Definition of navel

noun

a rounded knotty depression in the centre of a person’s belly caused by the detachment of the umbilical cord after birth; the umbilicus.
the central point of a place:the Incas saw Cuzco as the navel of the world

Phrases

contemplate one's navel: spend time complacently considering oneself or one’s interests at the expense of a wider view: the Post Office cannot stop the world while the unions contemplate their navels

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

navel in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of navel in the US English dictionary

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Other

navel

noun

Phrases

contemplate one's navel

Origin:

navel in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

More results for navel

More words in this category

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