apse

noun \ ˈaps \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

Definition of apse

1 : apsis 1

2 : a projecting part of a building (such as a church) that is usually semicircular in plan and vaulted

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Recent Examples of apse from the Web

The reception area and a wine bar occupy the original nave and apse of the church, while a superb open-walled breakfast room and library fill an upstairs mezzanine.

— alice newell-hanson, Condé Nast Traveler, "19 Hotels That Used to Be Churches, Temples, and More," 29 Mar. 2018
There’s even a sort of font near the apse/prow of the gallery: a circular pool of clear oil in which hundreds of tiny steel bearings are gently nudged into geometries by a magnet circling beneath the surface.

— steve mannheimer, Indianapolis Star, "New art installation at Herron Gallery uses VHS tape to make your eyes buzz," 22 Mar. 2018
The officials also inaugurated the Mosaic of the Transfiguration situated in the eastern apse of the monastery’s great basilica.

— samy magdy, The Seattle Times, "Egypt reopens ancient library in Sinai after renovations," 16 Dec. 2017
The officials also inaugurated the Mosaic of the Transfiguration situated in the eastern apse of the monastery’s great basilica.

— Time, "Egypt Reopens Ancient Library Holding Thousands of Centuries-Old Manuscripts," 16 Dec. 2017
Behind the apse, in the monsignor’s private apartments, Dom Pérignon 2006 was poured for the ladies in glittering gowns and men in floaty silk caftans and shiny Alta Sartoria suits adorned with diamond brooches.

— alexandra marshall, WSJ, "Behind the Scenes at Dolce & Gabbana’s Couture Club for Top Clients," 11 Oct. 2017
The most striking addition was the gold mosaic of Venetian glass in the apse wall depicting a stylized, youthful Christ figure.

— jeff suess, Cincinnati.com, "Our History: Storied cathedral noted for its architecture," 26 July 2017
Alessandro Cortini’s horror drones made sense in the apse, especially when heard while seated atop it; almost every inch of Arcosanti was available to explore, including the tops of buildings.

— jon caramanica, New York Times, "FORM Arcosanti, a Music Festival That Thinks Small," 16 May 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'apse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.