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

Derived 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

“I liked the Phlegethon better than this,” Percy muttered.

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

He wished there was another option - a choice that didn’t hurt like the waters of the Phlegethon - but he couldn’t see one.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan

But images of Tartarus kept burning in his mind—the River Phlegethon, the blistered ground where monsters regenerated, the dark forest where arai circled overhead in the blood-mist clouds.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

They followed the River Phlegethon, stumbling over the glassy black terrain, jumping crevices, and hiding behind rocks whenever the vampire girls slowed in front of them.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan