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abyss
The definition of an abyss is an extremely deep or bottomless hole or chasm, either literal or figurative.
(noun)- A bottomless pit is an example of an abyss.
- A person who is very depressed may be said to have fallen into an abyss.
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See abyss in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
- a deep fissure in the earth; bottomless gulf; chasm
- anything too deep for measurement; profound depth: abyss of shame, of time, etc.
- the ocean depths
- Theol. the primeval void or chaos before the Creation
Origin: L abyssus < Gr abyssos < a-, without + byssos, bottom
Related Forms:
- abyssal adjective
See abyss in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- An immeasurably deep chasm, depth, or void: “lost in the vast abysses of space and time” (Loren Eiseley).
- a. The primeval chaos out of which it was believed that the earth and sky were formed.b. The abode of evil spirits; hell.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English abissus
Origin: , from Late Latin abyssus
Origin: , from Greek abussos, bottomless
Origin: : a-, without; see a-1
Origin: + bussos, bottom
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