chthonian
[ thoh-nee-uh n ]
/ ˈθoʊ ni ən /
adjective Classical Mythology.
of or relating to the deities, spirits, and other beings dwelling under the earth.
RELATED WORDS
Nearby words
Also chthon·ic [thon-ik] /ˈθɒn ɪk/.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for chthonian
A man who divorced his wife was to make an offering to the Chthonian gods.
Plutarch's Lives, Volume I (of 4)|PlutarchThe Chthonian deities form a counterpart to the dwellers on Olympus.
Studies of the Greek Poets (Vol II of 2)|John Addington SymondsIt must be strange to die, surrounded by jackals at their chthonian litanies.
In Mesopotamia|Martin SwayneAs a chthonian power, she is worshipped at the Samothracian mysteries, and is closely connected with Demeter.
British Dictionary definitions for chthonian
chthonian
chthonic (ˈθɒnɪk)
/ (ˈθəʊnɪən) /
adjective
of or relating to the underworld
Word Origin for chthonian
C19: from Greek khthonios in or under the earth, from khthōn earth
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
Word Origin and History for chthonian
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper