Charybdis

[ kuh-rib-dis ]
/ kəˈrɪb dɪs /

noun

Modern name Ga·lo·fa·lo [Italian gah-law-fah-law], /Italian gɑˈlɔ fɑ lɔ/, Ga·ro·fa·lo [Italian gah-raw-fah-law] /Italian gɑˈrɔ fɑ lɔ/ . a whirlpool in the Strait of Messina off the NE coast of Sicily.
Classical Mythology. a daughter of Gaia and Poseidon, a monster mentioned in Homer and later identified with the whirlpool Charybdis.Compare Scylla (def. 2).

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Origin of Charybdis

First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English Karibdous, Karybdys, from Latin Charybdis, from Greek Chárybdis; further origin uncertain

OTHER WORDS FROM Charybdis

Cha·ryb·di·an, adjective

Words nearby Charybdis

Charvaka, charver, charvet, charwoman, chary, Charybdis, Chas., chase, chase mortise, chaser, Chasid
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

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British Dictionary definitions for Charybdis

Charybdis
/ (kəˈrɪbdɪs) /

noun

a ship-devouring monster in classical mythology, identified with a whirlpool off the north coast of Sicily, lying opposite Scylla on the Italian coastCompare Scylla

Derived forms of Charybdis

Charybdian, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012