Tartareous
/ˌtɑːrˈtɛəriəs/noun
Of or relating to Tartarus; infernal, hellish, or extremely harsh.
Did you know?In classical myth, Tartarus was not merely “hell” but the abyss beneath the underworld where the worst cosmic prisoners were chained, so *tartareous* carries a truly ancient underworld charge.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Gk
Τάρταρος (Tártaros)
“The abyss beneath Hades; the deepest prison of the gods and monsters”
Late Latin
Lat
tartareus
“Of Tartarus; infernal, hellish”
Middle English
English
tartareous
“Pertaining to Tartarus; infernal or subterranean”
Modern English
English
tartareous
“Infernal, hellish, or of the underworld”