definition of the word abyss

From Middle English abissus < Latin abyssus (“‘a bottomless gulf’”) < Ancient Greek ἄβυσσος (abyssos), “‘bottomless’”) ἀ- (a-), “‘not’”)+ βυσσός (bysso), “‘depth’”).

• enPR: ə-bĭs', IPA: /əˈbɪs/ SAMPA: /@"bIs/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

abyss (plural abysses)

1. A bottomless or unfathomed depth, gulf, or chasm; hence, any deep, immeasurable, and, specifically, hell, or the bottomless pit.
2. Infinite time; a vast intellectual or moral depth.
3. (heraldry) The center of an escutcheon.

• For examples of the usage of this word see the citations page.

This word, in its leading uses, is associated with the cosmological notions of the Hebrews, having reference to a supposed illimitable mass of waters from which our earth sprung, and beneath whose profound depths the wicked were punished.

Definition from Wiktionary Content avaible with GNU Free Documentation License

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