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naos

naos

9.9
Inner room of a temple where a statue of a god stands
  • noun
  • /ˈneɪ.ɒs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : naos
  • The sacred statue was placed in the naos at the heart of the temple.

Examples

  • Archaeologists discovered remnants of the naos during the excavation of the ancient site.

  • Visitors were not allowed to enter the naos, where only priests could go.

  • The ancient naos contained a magnificent statue of Athena.

  • The naos was beautifully decorated with intricate carvings.

  • The sacred statue was placed in the naos at the heart of the temple.

  • Visitors were not allowed to enter the naos, where only priests could go.

  • The ancient naos contained a magnificent statue of Athena.

Synonyms

adytum
vsnaos
  • Archaic
9.9

Most holy inner part of a very old temple where only priests can go

is an inner chamber that usually holds the deity statue and is less restricted

Surface Forms

naos singular
naoi plural

Etymology

Naos comes from the Greek ναός, which means 'temple' or 'shrine'. A naos was the inner room of a Greek or Roman temple where the god's statue stood, so today it means that sacred inner chamber.