The continuation of aisled spaces on either side of the nave (central part of the church) around the apse (a semicircular projection at the east end of the church where the main altar stands) or chancel (east end of the church where the main altar stands) to form a continuous processional way in architecture. The word comes from Latin ambulator, meaning "one who walks about." In churches, these passageways allow for the movement of people during services while protecting them from weather conditions and making the buildings more functional. Ambulatory design is very important in church architecture because it allows for greater space within the building. This space can be used for many different purposes such as seating, sleeping, or even just standing and talking with friends. Churches with ambulatory designs are able to hold large groups of people without feeling crowded or intimate. Many churches built prior to 1800 were not designed with women in mind. The aisles were often much narrower than they needed to be, which made them difficult or impossible to enter if you were not tall enough or thin enough. The only place for women to sit was in the nave, which meant that men had full access to all of the church's amenities including the holy water stoups and bathrooms. This type of design is called male-only seating and it was common in churches throughout Europe and America.