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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.


Phlegethon British  
/ ˈflɛɡɪˌθɒn /

noun

  1. Greek myth a river of fire in Hades

"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

Other Word Forms


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

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

See Examples For:

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

Even in the red light of the Phlegethon, his face seemed waxy.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

“The Phlegethon keeps the wicked in one piece so that they can endure the torments of the Fields of Punishment. I think...it might be the Underworld equivalent of ambrosia and nectar.”

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

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

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

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

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