Na"vel (?), n. [AS. nafela, fr. nafu nave; akin to D. navel, G. nabel, OHG. nabolo, Icel. nafli, Dan. navle, Sw. nafle, L. umbilicus, Gr. , Skr. nbhila. 260. See Nave hub, and cf. Omphalic, Nombril, Umbilical.]

1. Anat.

A mark or depression in the middle of the abdomen; the umbilicus. See Umbilicus.

<-- called also belly button in humans -->

2.

The central part or point of anything; the middle.

Within the navel of this hideous wood, Immured in cypress shades, a sorcerer dwells. Milton.

3. Gun.

An eye on the under side of a carronade for securing it to a carriage.

Navel gall, a bruise on the top of the chine of the back of a horse, behind the saddle. Johnson. -- Navel point. Her. Same as Nombril.

 

© Webster 1913.