netherworld
|neth/er/world|
🇺🇸
/ˈnɛðərˌwɜrld/
🇬🇧
/ˈnɛðəˌwɜːld/
hidden realm
Etymology
'netherworld' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'nitherweard,' where 'nither' meant 'down' and 'weard' meant 'toward.'
'nitherweard' transformed into the Middle English word 'netherward,' and eventually became the modern English word 'netherworld.'
Initially, it meant 'a place below,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a realm associated with the afterlife or hidden activities.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a place or state of existence below the surface of the earth, often associated with the afterlife or the underworld.
In mythology, the netherworld is often depicted as a realm of the dead.
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Noun 2
a hidden or secretive realm, often associated with illicit or illegal activities.
The detective delved into the netherworld of organized crime.
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Last updated: 2025/02/21 00:33