# absis

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/absis
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a small, curved part of a building that sticks out from the main wall. It is often used to hold a window or a door.

For teachers: a projecting part of a building, typically curved or polygonal, that forms a bay or contains an opening. Often used in architectural contexts to describe the structure of a facade.

## Examples

- The old church has a beautiful stone absis.
- Architects often use an absis to create a focal point for a building's entrance.
- The restoration of the medieval cathedral revealed the intricate carvings hidden within the original absis, which had been obscured by centuries of soot and neglect.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.