rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryabyssDeep gulf
noun

abyss

uh-BISS/əˈbɪs/

A seemingly bottomless gulf, literal or figurative.

The rocky abyss descends into darkness without a visible floor.

A close view into a narrow, immense rocky chasm, its steep walls descending into darkness with no visible floor.
Etymology
aGreekwithout
+byssGreekbottom

The Greek pieces mean “without a bottom.” Originally describing something bottomless or unfathomed, the compound also named a great depth or bottomless pit—the image retained in a seemingly bottomless gap.

In context

HISTORY0:35
seven miles into the Pacific Ocean. The mystery of what created this deep, dark chasm takes science detectives on some of the most dangerous dives ever attempted, deep into the abyss.
Inside the Marianas Trench: Earth's Deepest Point | How the Earth Was Made (S1, E2) | Full Episode

More examples

  • Several abysses divided the landscape.
  • He stared into the abyss.
  • The crisis opened a financial abyss.

Forms

abyss · abysses

Similar words

chasm
A deep gap without necessarily seeming bottomless.
gulf
A wide separation, literal or figurative.