Avernus

American  

[uh-vur-nuhs] / əˈvɜr nəs /

noun

1. a lake near Naples, Italy, looked upon in ancient times as an entrance to hell, from whose waters vile-smelling vapors arose, supposedly killing birds flying over it.

2. hell.

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Other Word Forms

• Avernal adjective

Etymology

Origin of Avernus

< Latin < Greek áornos birdless, equivalent to a- a- ⁶ + órn ( is ) bird + -os adj. suffix

Example Sentences

Trojan, Anchises’ son, the descent of Avernus is easy.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

The scene of Aeneas’s descent to the underworld is laid by the lake of Avernus, where, buried amid gloomy woods, was the cave of the Cumaean Sibyl.

From Roman Society from Nero to Marcus Aurelius by Dill, Samuel

The 42 subterranean gods were near at hand, and on the dark shore of Lake Avernus they recognised the path by which Ulysses sought the shades.

From Naples Past and Present by Norway, Arthur H.

The Grotto della Pace leads to the shores of Avernus.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 8 "Cube" to "Daguerre, Louis" by Various

But the classical regions of Avernus and the Elysian fields, the abode of the Cum�an Sibyl, and the beautiful temples of Bai�, we explored at our leisure.

From Memoir of Mary L. Ware, Wife of Henry Ware, Jr. by Hall, Edward B.