Phlegethon

American  

[fleg-uh-thon, flej-] / ˈflɛg əˌθɒn, ˈflɛdʒ- /

noun

1. Also called Pyriphlegethon.  Classical Mythology. a river of fire, one of five rivers surrounding Hades.

2. (often lowercase) a stream of fire or fiery light.

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Phlegethon British  

/ ˈflɛɡɪˌθɒn /

noun

1. Greek myth a river of fire in Hades

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Other Word Forms

• Phlegethontal adjective
• Phlegethontic adjective

Etymology

Origin of Phlegethon

First recorded in 1350–1400; late Middle English, from Latin, from Greek phlegéthōn “blazing, flaming,” noun use of present participle of phlegéthein “to blaze”; see origin at phlegm

Example Sentences

They followed Bob through the wasteland, tracing the route of the Phlegethon as they approached the storm front of darkness.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

He’d rather stand in the River Phlegethon, or get attacked by arai, or be trampled by giants.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

The River Phlegethon spilled over the side in jagged tiers of fiery waterfalls.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

Now there were only two choices: downriver or upriver, skirting the banks of the Phlegethon.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

The fiery water of the Phlegethon may have healed her and given her strength, but it didn’t do anything for her hunger or thirst.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan