n. [ L. abyssus a bottomless gulf, fr. Gr. &unr_; bottomless;
Ye powers and spirits of this nethermost abyss. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
The throne is darkness, in the abyss of light. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]
The abysses of metaphysical theology. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]
In unfathomable abysses of disgrace. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ This word, in its leading uses, is associated with the cosmological notions of the Hebrews, having reference to a supposed illimitable mass of waters from which our earth sprung, and beneath whose profound depths the wicked were punished. Encyc. Brit. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ Cf. Abysmal. ] Belonging to, or resembling, an abyss; unfathomable. [ 1913 Webster ]
Abyssal zone (Phys. Geog.),
n.
a. Of or pertaining to Abyssinia. [ 1913 Webster ]
Abyssinian gold,
n.