Styx

[ stiks ]

noun

, Classical Mythology.

1. a river in the underworld, over which the souls of the dead were ferried by Charon, and by which the gods swore their most solemn oaths.

Styx

/ stɪks /

noun

1. Greek myth a river in Hades across which Charon ferried the souls of the dead

Styx

1. In classical mythology , one of the rivers of Hades , across which Charon ferried the souls of the dead. The gods occasionally swore by the river Styx. When they did so, their oath was unbreakable.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Styx¹

from Greek Stux; related to stugein to hate

Example Sentences

There were tales of heroes' risky voyages along the River Styx, the waterway that connected the human world with the underworld, and of their attempt to thwart Hades, the god of the dead.

From Salon

“Nothing Ever Goes as Planned,” Styx: It’s probably safe to say that a few years ago, Seahawks fans didn’t envision the team being where it is now — without Wilson and a pretty unclear future.

From Seattle Times

There isn’t enough food, the D.J. is playing Styx instead of Beyoncé, and a line for the cash bar looks like a humanitarian crisis.

From New York Times

“I promise you, on the River Styx, that as soon as you surrender what I want, I will not shoot you. I will send you right back down that cliff.”

From Literature

He got off, but just over the Styx.

From Washington Post