chthonic

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

语言学习

2024-10-01

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Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 1, 2024 is: chthonic THAH-nik adjective What It Means Chthonic means "of or relating to the underworld." It is used as a synonym of infernal. // Cleo compared entering her brother's basement bedroom to a descent into chthonic regions: it was dark and odd-smelling, and she was a little frightened of what she might find there. cynosure in Context "Before the backdrop of a magmatic cavern stand three adventurers: a warrior, a mage, and a trickster who, with a roll of the dice, are preparing to defeat a tentacled chthonic beast." — Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2024 Did You Know? Chthonic might seem a lofty and learned word, but it's actually pretty down-to-earth in its origin and meaning. It comes from chthōn, which means "earth" in Greek, and it is associated with things that dwell in or under the earth. It is most commonly used in discussions of mythology, particularly underworld mythology. Hades and Persephone, who reign over the underworld in Greek mythology, might be called "chthonic deities," for example. Chthonic has broader applications, too. It can be used to describe something that resembles a mythological underworld (e.g., "chthonic darkness"), and it is sometimes used to describe earthly or natural things, as opposed to those that are elevated or celestial.
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  • It's the word of the day for October 1st.

  • Today's word is THONIC, spelled C-H-T-H-O-N-I-C.

  • THONIC is an adjective.

  • It means of or relating to the underworld.

  • It's used as a synonym of the word infernal.

  • Here's the word used in a sentence from Rolling Stone by Christopher Cruz.

  • Before the backdrop of a magmatic cavern stand three adventurers, a warrior, a mage,

  • and a trickster who, with a roll of the dice, are preparing to defeat a tentacled thonic beast.

  • Thonic might seem a lofty and learned word,

  • but it's actually pretty down to earth in its origin and meaning.

  • It comes from Thon, which means earth in Greek,

  • and it is associated with things that dwell in or under the earth.

  • It's most commonly used in discussions of mythology, particularly underworld mythology.

  • Hades and Persephone, who reign over the underworld in Greek mythology,

  • might be called Thonic deities.

  • For example, thonic has broader applications too.

  • It can be used to describe something that resembles a mythological underworld, like thonic darkness.

  • And it's sometimes used to describe earthly or natural things as opposed to those that are elevated or celestial.

  • With your Word of the Day, I'm Peter Sokolowski.

  • you