abyssal
/əˈbɪs.l̩/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: 2.39 in modern English
12
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
1
Syllables
5
Unique Chars
Meaning
adj
Of or belonging to the ocean depths, especially below 2000 metres (6500 ft): abyssal zone.
adj
Pertaining to or occurring at excessive depths in the earth's crust; plutonic.
Example Sentences
- "This "abyssal" life, typically in the form of strange tube-worms and microbes, is almost completely unknown to science."
- ""Ea", the beneficent god of earth and life, who dwelt in the abyssal waters, was shown with two streams running from his hands or shoulders[.]"
- "In an attempt to avoid sliding into incorrigible despair, I abandon such abyssal and existential pondering and investigate the artist behind the work."
Etymology
First attested in the 1690s. From Medieval Latin abyssalis, from Latin abyssus (“abyss”) + -alis (“-al”). Equivalent to abyss + -al.
Origin
- Source language: Latin
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /əˈbɪs.l̩/
- British English: /əˈbɪs.l̩/