I. ˈnāv noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English nafu; akin to Old High German naba nave, Old Norse nöf nave, Old English nafela navel — more at navel
: a block in the center of a wheel from which the spokes radiate and in which the axle is fixed : hub
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Medieval Latin navis, from Latin, ship; akin to Old English nōw end skipper, sailor, Old High German nuosc trough, Old Norse nōr ship, Greek naus, Sanskrit nau
1. : the main part of the interior of a church: as
a. : the long narrow central hall in a cruciform church that rises higher than the aisles flanking it to form a clerestory and is usually not considered to include the central part of the transept and choir — see basilica illustration
b. : the part of a church between the rear wall and the chancel
2. : a large open central space in a building (as a railway station)