navel
navel — noun
- navelsingular
- navelsplural
1. The small hollow or raised mark in the middle of the stomach where the cord that
The small hollow or raised mark in the middle of the stomach where the cord that once connected a baby to its mother was attached and later fell off.
The toddler lifted his shirt and showed everyone his navel, still pink from the warm bath.
body part: the small mark in the centre of the stomach
The yoga teacher asked the class to put a hand below the navel and breathe deeply.
collocation: below the navel
After the operation, the nurse showed Mei-Lin how to clean the skin around her navel.
Diego laughed when a soap bubble stayed inside his daughter's navel after her bath.
The doctor checked the newborn's navel to confirm the cord stump had dried and fallen off.
- belly button
informal term used in everyday speech; far more common than 'navel' in casual contexts
- umbilicus
formal medical term, rarely used outside clinical settings
用法筆記
In everyday conversation, 'belly button' is far more common than 'navel'. 'Navel' is the standard term in medical and anatomical writing.
常見錯誤
2. The most important or central part of a place, system, or activity — for example
The most important or central part of a place, system, or activity — for example, calling a capital city the navel of a country, or a key market the navel of trade.
The ancient temple was the navel of the kingdom, where all important ceremonies took place.
figurative: 'the navel of' = the centre of
In Greek myth, the Oracle at Delphi was the navel of the earth, linking mortals to the gods.
The market square was the navel of the town, with traders arriving from every direction.
Historians describe ancient Constantinople as the navel of the medieval world, lying between Europe and Asia.
文法句型
the navel of [place/system]
用法筆記
This figurative sense is mostly found in literary, historical, or formal writing. In everyday English, 'centre', 'heart', or 'hub' are far more common choices.