Around the 8th century this space was raised to allow for the development of the crypt below and, for the same purpose, extended externally and terminated with a rectangular or curved structure; it is thus used in the sense of apse (v.) and also in those of choir (v.) and presbytery (v.). Sometimes this term is also given to loggias entirely built into the wall and to the same matronea.
BIBL.: C. Costantini, s. V. ENOCH. Ital., XXXIV, p. 304.