/ ˈneɪvl; NAmE / (also informal ˈbelly button ) ( BrE also ˈtummy button ) noun
the small hollow part or lump in the middle of the stomach where the umbilical cord was cut at birth
—picture at body
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English nafela , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch navel and German Nabel , from an Indo-European root shared by Latin umbo boss of a shield, umbilicus navel, and Greek omphalos boss, navel.