chevet
9.9
The east end of a church, often a rounded area behind the altar with the choir and small chapels
- noun
- /ʃəˈveɪ/
- Specialized
:
cabeza del altar
- The chevet of the old cathedral features beautifully crafted chapels that enhance the space behind the altar.
Examples
-
Visitors admired the intricate architecture of the church's chevet, which included an array of stained glass windows.
-
The orator, who looked quite proper, almost elegant, in his black ecclesiastical garb, had positioned himself in the middle of the street, with his back to the chevet of a church, while a handful of curiosity seekers, standing in a circle, listened.
Fiction book (2002) -
The choir was situated in the chevet, allowing for a clear view of the altar during the service.
Synonyms
7
9.9
A half-round area at the front of a church where the bishop sits
is an east end complex including choir and chapels rather than a semicircular apse
How Complex
church building
4
1.0
4
1.0
chevet
- Specialized
ambulatory
1
9.3
- Specialized
1
9.3
chancel
1
9.8
1
9.8
apse
2
9.4
- Specialized
2
9.4
Surface Forms
Etymology
Chevet comes from French roots chef and -et, meaning 'head' and 'small', so it was used for the east or 'head' end of a church where the altar stands.