Etymology : Middle English, from Old English nafela; akin to Old High German nabalo navel, Latin umbilicus, Greek omphalos
Pronunciation : 'nA-v&l
Function : noun
Date : before 12th century
1. small dimple in the abdomen where the umbilical cord was once attached to the placenta; belly button (Informal); center. navel\na"vel\ (nā"v'l), n. [as. nafela, fr. nafu nave; akin to d. navel, g. nabel, ohg. nabolo, icel. nafli, dan. navle, sw. nafle, l. umbilicus, gr. 'omfalo`s, skr. nābhīla. ?260. see:
nave hub, and cf. omphalic, nombril, umbilical.].
2. (anat.) a mark or depression in the middle of the abdomen; the umbilicus. see:
umbilicus.
3. the central part or point of anything; the middle. within the navel of this hideous wood, immured in cypress shades, a sorcerer dwells.
4. (gun.) an eye on the under side of a carronade for securing it to a carriage.navel gall, a bruise on the top of the chine of the back of a horse, behind the saddle.navel point. (her.) same as nombril.navel n.
5. scar where the umbilical cord was attached [syn: umbilicus, bellybutton, omphalos, omphalus].
6. the center point or middle of something [syn: navel point].
7. A mark or depression in the middle of the abdomen; the umbilicus.
8. See Umbilicus.
9. The central part or point of anything; the middle.
10. An eye on the under side of a carronade for securing it to a carriage. scar where the umbilical cord was attached the center point or middle of something.
11. Your navel is the small hollow just below your waist at the front of your body.