First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
abyss
abyss
noun \ə-ˈbis, a- also ˈa-(ˌ)bis\
: a hole so deep or a space so great that it cannot be measured
Full 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
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Examples of ABYSS
- <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
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