exonarthex

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English

Etymology

From exo- +‎ narthex.

Noun

exonarthex (plural exonarthexes or exonarthices)

  1. (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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