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Definition of esonarthex
esonarthex
/ˌɛsoʊˈnɑːrθɛks/
es · o · nar · thex
Plural:esonarthexes
esonarthex Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
13
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
The inner vestibule or enclosed porch of an early Christian or Byzantine church, situated immediately before the nave and often preceded by an outer porch known as the exonarthex.
Example
"Scholars spent hours analyzing the religious frescoes that adorned the walls of the esonarthex before moving into the main body of the church."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for esonarthex Antonyms
View all antonyms for esonarthex• Rhymes for esonarthex
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Greek prefix 'eso-' (meaning inner or inside) combined with 'narthex' (originally a giant fennel plant, later referring to a casket or the portico of a church).
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Esonarthex. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/esonarthex