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exonarthex. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
exonarthex, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
exonarthex in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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English
Etymology
From exo- + narthex.
Noun
exonarthex (plural exonarthexes or exonarthices)
- (architecture, Christianity) The space anterior to the narthex of a church, sometimes roofed-over as with a porch, but more often an enclosed courtyard; in antiquity, the courtyard where catechumens were permitted to be close to the Eucharist, but forbidden to see it celebrated.
1850, John Mason Neale, A History of the Holy Eastern Church: The Patriarchate of Alexandria:The exonarthex is of inferior workmanship, and has been thought by some of later date than the rest of the church; but there seems no ground for this belief.
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