Literary notes about apsis (AI summary)
The term apsis is most often employed in literature to evoke the particular architectural character of sacred spaces, where it denotes the semicircular recess or apse at the end of a church’s choir or nave, frequently serving as a focal point for altars and frescoes [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. Writers use the apsis to ground their descriptions in tangible spatial geometry, sometimes even highlighting the interplay of light that streams through circular stained-glass windows within these recesses [7, 8]. In some texts, however, the word transcends its architectural roots, featuring in discussions of celestial mechanics where it refers to the major axis of elliptical orbits or the points of greatest distance in an orbit [9, 10]. This dual usage lends a rich versatility to the term, enabling authors to weave together physical structure and cosmic symbolism in their narratives.
- Between the apsis and the nave stood the altar, or rather the common table, canopied by a baldachin supported by columns.
— from A Manual of the Historical Development of ArtPre-Historic—Ancient—Classic—Early Christian; with Special Reference to Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, and Ornamentation by G. G. (Gustavus George) Zerffi - The nave of the chapel is in tolerably good preservation, but the apsis has suffered severely from damp.
— from George Eliot's Life, as Related in Her Letters and Journals. Vol. 2 (of 3) by George Eliot - ‘The mighty apsis, about eighty feet in breadth, is increased in effect by a lofty transept, which stretches in front of it, across the whole nave.
— from A Manual of the Historical Development of ArtPre-Historic—Ancient—Classic—Early Christian; with Special Reference to Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, and Ornamentation by G. G. (Gustavus George) Zerffi - It has an altar and an apsis, but it is adapted to preaching rather than to singing.
— from Beacon Lights of History, Volume 3 part 1: The Middle Ages by John Lord - The half domes of the apsis and two transepts, which were of well-built masonry, were still entire, and the original frescos remain upon them.
— from Visits to Monasteries in the Levant by Robert Curzon - Behind us rises the noble apsis of the cathedral.
— from The Brotherhood of Consolation by Honoré de Balzac - Only through the glory, or circular stained window in the apsis of the basilica, there comes in a golden light from the western sky.
— from The Catholic World, Vol. 11, April, 1870 to September, 1870 by Various - At Murano we stop a moment to look at the old Duomo, and to enjoy its quaint mosaics within, and the fine and graceful spirit of the apsis without.
— from Venetian Life by William Dean Howells - Apsis , plural apsides , the line joining the aphelion and perihelion points; or the major axis of elliptical orbits.
— from Recreations in AstronomyWith Directions for Practical Experiments and Telescopic Work by Henry White Warren - Apsides or Apsis .—One of two points, A, A, of an orbit, oval or ellipse farthest from the axis, or the two small dots.
— from Carpentry for Boys In a Simple Language, Including Chapters on Drawing, Laying Out Work, Designing and Architecture With 250 Original Illustrations by James Slough Zerbe
