stygian

stygian

See also: Stygian

English

WOTD – 5 May 2009

Etymology

From Latin stygius, from Ancient Greek Στύγιος (Stúgios, relating to Styx), from Στύξ (Stúx, Styx, chief river of underworld).

Pronunciation

  • (UK, US) IPA(key): /ˈstɪd͡ʒ.i.ən/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Adjective

stygian (comparative more stygian, superlative most stygian)

  1. Alternative form of Stygian (of or relating to the river Styx).
  2. (figuratively, literary)
    1. Infernal or hellish.
      Synonyms: helly, subtartarean; see also Thesaurus:infernal
    2. Dark and gloomy.
      Synonyms: cimmerian, dusky, tenebrous; see also Thesaurus:dark
  3. (color theory, of a perceived color) Having a luminosity below 0%.

Usage notes

  • See also Stygian, which means "of, by or relating to the river Styx".

Hypernyms

(color):

Coordinate terms

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Derived terms

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