narthex

From Ancient Greek νάρθηξ (nárthēx, “giant fennel”), later ‘casket’ (modern Greek νάρθηκας (nárthikas)), a Pre-Greek word, as suggested by the suffix. See also νάρδος (nárdos, “nard”).

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈnɑɹθɛks/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈnɑːθɛks/

narthex (plural narthexes or narthices)

1. (architecture) A western vestibule leading to the nave in some Christian churches.
   • 1942, Rebecca West, Black Lamb and Grey Falcon, Canongate, published 2006, page 637:

     we were in the antechamber, called the narthex, which runs across the front of any Byzantine church [...].

   • 2007, Edwin Mullins, The Popes of Avignon, Blue Bridge 2008, p. 87:

     One of these was Cardinal Jacopo Stefaneschi, [...] who had now conceived ambitious plans for paintings to decorate the entire narthex, or entrance porch, of Avignon's ancient cathedral.

• endonarthex
• exonarthex