navel

 
Pronunciation: /ˈneɪv(ə)l/

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