Tophet

American  

[toh-fit, -fet] / ˈtoʊ fɪt, -fɛt /

Or Topheth

noun

Bible.

1. a place in the valley of Hinnom, near Jerusalem, where, contrary to the law, children were offered as sacrifices, especially to Moloch. It was later used as a dumping ground for refuse.

2. the place of punishment for the wicked after death; hell.

3. some place, condition, etc., likened to hell.

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Tophet British  

/ ˈtəʊfɛt /

noun

1. Old Testament a place in the valley immediately to the southwest of Jerusalem; the Shrine of Moloch, where human sacrifices were offered

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Etymology

Origin of Tophet

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, ultimately derived from Hebrew tōpheth a placename

Example Sentences

A domain larger than Belgium, wilder than Abyssinia, more visited than Rome, colder than Moose Factory and hotter than Tophet, a fabulously scenic empire scattered over half a continent, quietly changed hands last week.

From Time Magazine Archive

Suppose I told you that here, now, in this noisy Tophet of New York, there lives a man of genius, who paints like a belated painter of the Renaissance?

From Unicorns by Huneker, James

"Never mind, old chap," exclaimed Andy, when Ellerton made the startling yet not altogether unexpected discovery that the Tophet had sailed without him.

From The Nameless Island A Story of some Modern Robinson Crusoes by Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)

The reek of Tophet was still in my nostrils.

From Lodges in the Wilderness by Scully, W. C. (William Charles)

Yet I went back to my old place of teaching, Tophet.

From Autobiography of Z. S. Hastings by Hastings, Z. S.