Phlegethon

[fleg-uh-thon, flej-]

noun

Also called Pyriphlegethon. Classical Mythology. a river of fire, one of five rivers surrounding Hades.
(often lowercase) a stream of fire or fiery light.

Origin of Phlegethon

< Latin < Greek, noun use of phlegéthōn blazing, present participle of phlegéthein to blaze. See phlegm

Related formsPhleg·e·thon·tal, Phleg·e·thon·tic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for phlegethon

Historical Examples of phlegethon

A step with them, and we were on the Phlegethon waters of the French Revolution.
Lord Ormont and his Aminta, Complete
George Meredith
The Styx, the Cocytus, and the Phlegethon present their waves to your acceptance.
Munster Village
Mary Hamilton
The first round or circlet of the Seventh Circle is filled by Phlegethon.
The Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri
Dante Alighieri
The round and grape passed between the masts of the Phlegethon and beyond the Spiteful, without striking.
How Britannia Came to Rule the Waves
W.H.G. Kingston
The guns having been pointed at the stakes, the Phlegethon immediately returned the compliment with rockets and her pivot-guns.
How Britannia Came to Rule the Waves
W.H.G. Kingston

British Dictionary definitions for phlegethon

Phlegethon

noun

Greek myth a river of fire in Hades

Word Origin for Phlegethon

C14: from Greek, literally: blazing, from phlegethein to flame, blaze

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