Mihrabs

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An ornamental niche in a mosque indicating the direction of Mecca for prayer
2. A recessed architectural feature, typically found in Islamic religious buildings, that signifies the qibla direction for worshippers
3. A decorative alcove within a mosque that serves as a focal point for congregational prayer by pointing to the holy site of Kaaba in Mecca

Etymology: "Mihrabs" is simply the plural of "mihrab," so it refers to more than one of the niches set into the wall of a mosque that marks the direction of prayer toward Mecca. The singular was taken into English from Arabic, where "miḥrāb" names this same niche. Its plural follows the English pattern of adding an "s."