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name

Tartarus

TAH-tuh-ruhs

Tartarus (name) means In Greek and Roman mythology, the deep, dark abyss below the underworld where the wicked and defeated gods (like the Titans) were punished. Example: “Zeus cast the rebellious Titans down into Tartarus.”

name
1
In Greek and Roman mythology, the deep, dark abyss below the underworld where the wicked and defeated gods (like the Titans) were punished.
"Zeus cast the rebellious Titans down into Tartarus."
"The poem describes Tartarus as a bottomless pit of torment."
2
Any bleak, hellish place.
"The abandoned mine felt like a personal Tartarus."

How to use Tartarus

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe mythological Greek/Roman version of hell, or, loosely, any grim, punishing place.

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Etymology

From Latin Tartarus, borrowed from Ancient Greek Tártaros.

Origin: Ancient Greek

Rhymes for Tartarus

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Frequently asked questions

What does “Tartarus” mean?

The word “Tartarus” means in Greek and Roman mythology, the deep, dark abyss below the underworld where the wicked and defeated gods (like the Titans) were punished. In plain terms, the mythological Greek/Roman version of hell, or, loosely, any grim, punishing place.

How do you pronounce “Tartarus”?

“Tartarus” is pronounced TAH-tuh-ruhs (/ˈtɑː(r)tərəs/ in IPA).

How do you use “Tartarus” in a sentence?

Here is “Tartarus” used in a sentence: “Zeus cast the rebellious Titans down into Tartarus.”

What part of speech is “Tartarus”?

“Tartarus” is a name.

Where does the word “Tartarus” come from?

The word “Tartarus” comes from Ancient Greek. From Latin Tartarus, borrowed from Ancient Greek Tártaros.

How many meanings does “Tartarus” have?

“Tartarus” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in Greek and Roman mythology, the deep, dark abyss below the underworld where the wicked and defeated gods (like the Titans) were punished.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial