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.

Origin of Avernus

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

Related formsA·ver·nal, adjective