Avernus

[ uh-vur-nuh s ]
/ əˈvɜr nəs /

noun

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.
hell.

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a creature, variously described as a serpent, lizard, or dragon, said to kill by its breath or look.
place or source of origin.
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Origin of Avernus

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

OTHER WORDS FROM Avernus

A·ver·nal, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020