narthex

nar·thex

noun \ˈnär-ˌtheks\

Definition of NARTHEX

1

: the portico of an ancient church

2

: a vestibule leading to the nave of a church

Origin of NARTHEX

Late Greek narthēx, from Greek, giant fennel, cane, casket

First Known Use: circa 1673

Rhymes with NARTHEX

annex, apex, codex, complex, convex, cortex, culex, desex, duplex, DX, fourplex, ibex, ilex, index, Kleenex, latex, mirex, murex, MX, perplex, Perspex, phone sex, pollex, Pyrex, reflex, Rx, safe sex, scolex, silex, silvex, simplex, spandex, telex, Tex-Mex, triplex, unsex, vertex, vortex

narthex

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Long, narrow porch, usually colonnaded or arcaded, crossing the entire width of a church at its entrance. The narthex is usually separated from the nave by columns or a pierced wall. In Byzantine churches the space is divided into two parts: An exonarthex forms the outer entrance to the building and bounds the esonarthex, which opens onto the nave.