'barathrum' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the word 'βάραθρον' (baráthron), where the root meant 'abyss' or 'pit'.

'βάραθρον' passed into Latin as 'barathrum' and was used in Late and Medieval Latin; the word entered English via scholarly and literary borrowings retaining the form 'barathrum'.

Initially it denoted a physical 'deep pit' but over time, especially in Christian and medieval literature, it broadened to mean 'hell' or 'ruin', and in English is used both literally and figuratively in literary contexts.