Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Nearby Words

lethean

 - 4 dictionary results

Le⋅the

  [lee-thee]
Use lethean in a Sentence
–noun
1. Classical Mythology. a river in Hades whose water caused forgetfulness of the past in those who drank of it.
2. (usually lowercase) forgetfulness; oblivion.
Origin:
< L < Gk, special use of lthē forgetfulness, akin to lanthánesthai to forget

Related forms:
Le⋅the⋅an  [li-thee-uhn, lee-thee-uhn] , Lethied, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To lethean
le·the   (lē'thē)   
n.  

  1. Lethe Greek Mythology The river of forgetfulness, one of the five rivers in Hades.

  2. A condition of forgetfulness; oblivion.


[Greek Lēthē, from lēthē, forgetfulness.]
le'the·an adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Cultural Dictionary

Lethe [(lee-thee)]

In classical mythology, a river flowing through Hades. The souls of the dead were forced to drink of its waters, which made them forget what they had done, said, and suffered when they were alive.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

Lethe 
1567, river of Hades, whose water when drunk caused forgetfulness of the past, from Gk. lethe, lit. "forgetfulness, oblivion," related to lethargos "forgetful," lathre "secretly, by stealth," lathrios "stealthy," lanthanein "to be hidden." Cognate with L. latere "to be hidden" (see latent).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see lethean on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way