| abyss | 1. A bottomless or unfathomed depth, gulf, or chasm; hence, any deep, immeasurable, and, specifically, hell, or the bottomless pit. "Ye powers and spirits of this nethermost abyss." (Milton) "The throne is darkness, in the abyss of light." (Dryden) 2. Infinite time; a vast intellectual or moral depth. "The abysses of metaphysical theology." (Macaulay) "In unfathomable abysses of disgrace." (Burke) 3. The center of an escutcheon. 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. Origin: L. Abyssus a bottomless gulf, fr. Gr. Bottomless; priv. + depth, bottom. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| abyssal | Belonging to, or resembling, an abyss; unfathomable. <physics> Abyssal zone, one of the belts or zones into which Sir E. Forbes divides the bottom of the sea in describing its plants, animals, etc. It is the one furthest from the shore, embracing all beyond one hundred fathoms deep. Hence, abyssal animals, plants, etc. Origin: Cf. Abysmal. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |