abysm etymology

Etymology:

• Origin: Late Latin abyssimus ("bottomless")
• Root: Greek abyssos ("deep chasm, bottomless pit")
• Indo-European Root: h₂ep- ("water")

Meaning:

• An immeasurable depth or void
• A profound or extreme degree of something, usually negative

Origin and Development:

The word "abysm" was first used in the late 14th century in the sense of "bottomless pit." It comes from the Late Latin word "abyssimus," which is itself derived from the Greek word "abyssos." In the Greek New Testament, "abyssos" was used to refer to the underworld, Hades, and was later applied to the depths of the sea.

Over time, the word "abysm" came to be used figuratively to describe something that is extremely deep, vast, or mysterious. It is often used in a negative sense, describing something that is hopeless or overwhelming.

Examples of Usage:

• "The abysmal depths of the ocean are home to many unknown creatures."
• "Her grief was an abysmal void that she could not fill."
• "The abysmal failures of the government have led to widespread disillusionment."

abysm relate terms

• abyss

  Etymology The word abyss comes from the Greek word ἄβυσσος abyssos which m

• abysm

  Etymology Origin Late Latin abyssimus bottomless Root Greek abyssos deep chasm

• abysmal

  Etymology The word abysmal derives from the Greek word abyssos which means bottoml

• abysm

  Etymology Origin Late Latin abyssimus bottomless Root Greek abyssos deep chasm

• chasm

  Etymology Late Latin chasma from Greek χάσμα chásma meaning a cleft gap

• time

  Etymology Old English tîma time period hour West Germanic tîmon Proto Germanic

• mollycoddle

  Etymology Mollycoddle is ultimately derived from the Old Irish feminine name Muirgel

• exile

  Etymology Latin exsilium exile banishment Proto Indo European eks s il out

• rack

  Etymology Middle English rake from Old English racu meaning heap pile ridge Prot

• mood

  Etymology The word mood derives from the Old English mod which means spirit dis

• offspring

  Etymology The word offspring comes from the Middle English word offspring which in t

• Knickerbocker

  Etymology The term knickerbocker is derived from the Dutch surname Van der Boogart