ABSIS
ABSIS or
APSIS (the former more correct in
Latin) (
ἁψίς), in its literal meaning from
ἅπτω, is a fastening of any kind; for
example, the meshes of a net. (Hom.
il.
5.487.) It was applied specially to the joining together the
extremities of a piece of wood, so as to give it the shape of a bow; and
hence it came to signify anything of that shape, such as a bow, an arch, or
a wheel. (Hes.
Op. 424;
Hdt.
4.72.) A potter's wheel is described, in the Anthology, as
κύκλος ἁψῖδος. The next transition of meaning
is to anything
vaulted (for example,
ἡ ὑπουρανία ἁψίς,
the vault of heaven, Plat.
Phaedr. p.
247 b); and in this sense it was adopted in architecture, first, for any
building or portion of a building of a circular form, or vaulted (
Plin. Ep. 2.17.18), and more especially for
the circular and vaulted end of a Basilica. (Paul. Nol.
Ep.
12; Augustin,
Ep. 203; Isid.
Orig. 15.8.) For
the application of the word in Christian churches, see
Dict. of
Christ. Ant.
S. V. APSE.
[
P.S]
