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Definition of esonarthex

esonarthex

/ˌɛsoʊˈnɑːrθɛks/
es · o · nar · thex
Plural:esonarthexes
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esonarthex Lexical Profile

• 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
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for esonarthex

• Nearby Words

esidrix
esmeraldas
esmeraldas river
esonarthex
esophagus
esoteric
esox

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 Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/esonarthex
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