abyss

abyss

noun \ə-ˈbis, a- also ˈa-(ˌ)bis\

Definition of ABYSS

1

: the bottomless gulf, pit, or chaos of the old cosmogonies

2

a : an immeasurably deep gulf or great space b : intellectual or moral depths

Examples of ABYSS

1. <looking down at the dark ocean from the ship's rail, the cruise passenger felt as though he was staring into an abyss>

Origin of ABYSS

Middle English abissus, from Late Latin abyssus, from Greek abyssos, from abyssos, adjective, bottomless, from a- + byssos depth; perhaps akin to Greek bathys deep

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ABYSS

Synonyms: abysm, chasm, deep, gulf, ocean

Related Words: cleft, crevasse, crevice, fissure; cavern, hole, hollow, pit; breadth, expanse, extent, reach, spread, stretch; black hole, emptiness, nothingness, vacancy, vacuity, vacuum, void

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Rhymes with ABYSS

amiss, Brown Swiss, coulisse, dehisce, dismiss, French kiss, iwis, koumiss, near miss, remiss, submiss