facilis descensus Averno

American

[fah-ki-lis des-ken-soos ah-wer-noh, fas-uh-lis di-sen-suhs uh-vur-noh] / ˈfɑ kɪ lɪs dɛsˈkɛn sʊs ɑˈwɛr noʊ, ˈfæs ə lɪs dɪˈsɛn səs əˈvɜr noʊ /

Latin.

(the) descent to hell is easy; it is easy to take the downward path. Vergil, Aeneid, 6:126.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As we all know, facilis descensus Averno est, and any man with natural greed in his veins is subject to temptation.

From The Cottage of Delight A Novel by Harben, Will N. (William Nathaniel)

These words undoubtedly indicate the accomplishment of the "facilis descensus Averno" by the native deities.

From Elizabethan Demonology by Spalding, Thomas Alfred

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023