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abyss

noun

/əˈbɪs/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of abyss

A deep and seemingly bottomless chasm or pit, often used figuratively to describe a profound or infinite space or void.
"The diver stared into the abyss of the ocean, feeling both excitement and fear."

Detailed meaning of abyss

It connotes a sense of vastness and emptiness, as well as a feeling of danger or uncertainty. The abyss can be physical, such as the deep sea or a canyon, or metaphorical, such as a psychological or emotional chasm. The term is often used to suggest a sense of fear, dread, or despair, with the implication that the abyss is a place of darkness, chaos, or destruction. It can also suggest a sense of mystery or the unknown, as the depths of the abyss are often unexplored or uncharted. Overall, the noun "abyss" conveys a sense of immense depth and mystery, as well as a feeling of fear or awe.

Example sentences containing abyss

1. The hiker stood at the edge of the abyss, marveling at its depth.
2. She felt as though she was falling into an emotional abyss after the breakup.
3. The abyss between the two opposing sides seemed impossible to bridge.
4. The novel explored the existential abyss of human existence.
5. The artist's work depicted a person staring into the abyss of their own thoughts.
6. The company's financial mismanagement led them to the brink of the abyss.

History and etymology of abyss

The noun 'abyss' has its etymology rooted in Greek. It comes from the Greek word 'abyssos,' which means 'bottomless' or 'unfathomable.' In ancient Greek cosmology and mythology, the 'abyssos' referred to the primal and chaotic void that existed before the creation of the world. It was seen as an immeasurable and boundless chasm, often associated with the depths of the sea. As the term entered the English language, it retained this sense of a deep and seemingly bottomless chasm or pit. Figuratively, 'abyss' is used to describe a profound or infinite space or void, conveying the idea of something so deep and immeasurable that it becomes a symbol of the unknown and the unknowable, echoing its Greek origins in the concept of an unfathomable and boundless expanse.

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Further usage examples of abyss

1. The abyss of loneliness consumed him during his time of isolation.
2. The climber's heart pounded as he dangled over the gaping abyss below.
3. The decision to invest all his savings felt like a leap into the abyss.
4. The political scandal threatened to plunge the nation into an abyss of chaos.
5. The absence of hope left her teetering on the edge of the abyss.
6. The abyss of despair seemed insurmountable to those battling mental illness.
7. The team's defeat in the championship sent them spiraling into the abyss of disappointment.
8. The abyss of poverty can be difficult to escape without support.
9. The writer's block seemed to push her closer to the abyss of self-doubt.
10. The astronaut floated weightlessly above the abyss of space.
11. The loss of a loved one can leave a profound abyss in one's heart.
12. The character's moral choices led him down a dark abyss of guilt.
13. The chasm in the relationship widened, creating an emotional abyss between them.
14. The ancient mythology described a monstrous creature lurking in the depths of the abyss.