chthonic

Advancedzipf 1.70

Pronunciation

/ˈθɒnɪk/(THON-ik)

Part of speech

adjectiveformal

Chinese

地下的；冥界的

Definition

Concerning, belonging to, or inhabiting the underworld; relating to the earth or earth deities.

Word family

  • (no common derivatives)

Collocations

  • chthonic deity
  • chthonic forces
  • chthonic rituals
  • chthonic realm

Examples

  1. 1.In Greek mythology, Hades was a chthonic god who ruled the underworld. (of the underworld)
  2. 2.The cave paintings evoked a chthonic power, connecting the viewer to something deep and ancient. (earthly, primal)

Synonyms

  • subterranean/ˌsʌbtəˈreɪniən/— underground
  • infernal/ɪnˈfɜːnəl/— of the underworld
  • telluric/tɛˈlʊərɪk/— of the earth

Etymology

from Greek "khthonios" — "khthon" = earth — of or relating to the earth and its depths