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abyss

[ ə-ˈbis]

abyss

noun

[ə-ˈbis]

Definition of abyss

1a : an immeasurably deep gulf or great space
//gazed down into the gaping abyss the ocean's abysses(figurative) a widening abyss between the rich and the poor

b : intellectual or moral depths
//an abyss of moral depravity an abyss of despair

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

Synonyms & Antonyms for dainty

Synonyms: Synonyms

Recent Examples on the Web

//Heavier pieces such as the boilers dropped straight down, while other pieces were flung off into the abyss.
— National Geographic, "How the Titanic was lost and found," 22 Aug. 2019
//Participants must first have permission from their bosses—this isn’t about quitting your job and jumping into the abyss.
— Emily Matchar, Smithsonian, "Take a Sabbatical to Help America’s National Parks," 17 Sep. 2019
//After making the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons under first-year coach Steve Clifford, the Magic simply could not afford to sink back into the abyss of irrelevance next season.
— Mike Bianchi, orlandosentinel.com, "Hallelujah! Magic’s best free agents — Vooch and T-Ross — actually chose to stay in Orlando | Commentary," 1 July 2019
//Finally, a recent poll of Americans reveals a veritable abyss between younger and older Americans.
— Victor Davis Hanson, National Review, "The Ghosts of World War II," 5 Sep. 2019
//Finally, a recent poll of Americans reveals a veritable abyss between younger and older Americans.
— Victor Davis Hanson, The Mercury News, "Hanson: The ghosts of World War II," 5 Sep. 2019
//The large, two-tiered table is spread with dishes rather than maps of the abyss, salvaged portholes give a glimpse of the outside, and the walls have all been hand-painted by artist Brian Farrell.
— Vanessa Lawrence, ELLE Decor, "This East Village Restaurant Will Transport You to the Mediterranean," 25 June 2019
//Those office cupcakes that appeared out of the abyss can be a delicious and spontaneous snack.
— Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "Here's What a Healthy Snack Actually Looks Like," 26 Aug. 2019
//The United States has pushed itself and the rest of the world into probably the brink of an abyss.
— Washington Post, "American warship destroys Iranian drone in Strait of Hormuz," 19 July 2019

First Known Use of abyss

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for abyss

borrowed from Late Latin abyssus, borrowed from Greek ábyssos "bottomless, unfathomable, (as noun) bottomless gulf," from a- a- entry 2 + byssós "depth of the sea," probably going back to *byth-yos, derivative of bythós "depth, deepest part, bottom," probably of pre-Greek substratal origin

Dictionary Entries near abyss

More Synonyms and Antonyms ofabyss