nave (1)

[A. S. nafu, nafa; cogn. with Dut. naaf: Icel. nof; Dan. nar, Sw. naf: Ger, nabe: Sansc. nab hi the navel, the nave of a wheel, the center.] [NAVEL.] 1. The central portion of a wheel, from which the spokes radiate; the hub. "'Twas twisted betwixt nave and spoke." Words worth: Alice Fell. 2. The navel. ( Shakesp .: Macbeth , i. 2.) nave-hole, s. The hole in the center of a gun truck for receiving the end of the axle-tree. nave-shaped, a. [MODIOLI FORM.]