A projecting part of a building, esp. of a church, having in the plan a polygonal or semicircular termination, and, most often, projecting from the east end. In early churches the Eastern apse was occupied by seats for the bishop and clergy. Hence:
The bishop's seat or throne, in ancient churches.
A reliquary, or case in which the relics of saints were kept.
98,828 entries. Headwords are matched first, then definition text.