navel-gazing
navel-gazing · navel-gazings
The contemplation of one's navel as an aid to meditationThe contemplation of one's navel as an aid to meditation.
/ˈneɪvəlˌɡeɪzɪŋ/
Meaning
3 senses(countable, uncountable)The contemplation of one's navel as an aid to meditation.
literally, the contemplation of one's navel, which is an idiom usually meaning complacent self-absorption
(countable, derogatory, uncountable)An excessive focus on oneself; self-indulgent introspection.
Nabelschau
(countable, derogatory, sometimes, uncountable)A (disproportionate) concentration on a single issue.
Translations
3 languagesDeutsch
excessive focus on oneself:
Origin
Calque of Ancient Greek ὀμφαλοσκοπία (omphaloskopía). By surface analysis, navel + gazing.Calque of Ancient Greek ὀμφαλοσκοπία (omphaloskopía). By surface analysis, navel + gazing.
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Forms
plural: navel-gazingsSynonyms
2 synonymsClose in meaning
- literally, the contemplation of one's navel, which is an idiom usually meaning complacent self-absorption:omphaloskepsis
Lessons for this word
1 lessons- A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable