Dictionary entry

Navel

Webster's Dictionary 1913

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. ομφαλὄσ, Skr. nābhīla. √260. See Nave hub, and cf. Omphalic, Nombril, Umbilical.] 1. (Anat.) A mark or depression in the middle of the abdomen; the umbilicus. See Umbilicus.

2. The central part or point of anything; the middle.

Within the navel of this hideous wood,

Immured in cypress shades, a sorcerer dwells. Milton.

3. (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. Johnson.Navel point. (Her.) Same as Nombril.