lethe
Forgetfulness of the pastForgetfulness of the past; oblivion.
/ˈliːθi/
Meaning
3 senses(uncountable, usually)Forgetfulness of the past; oblivion.
(uncountable, usually)Dissimulation.
(obsolete, rare, uncountable, usually)Death.
More definitions
- (Greek mythology) a river in Hades; the souls of the dead had to drink from it, which made them forget all they had done and suffered when they were alive
Origin
From Latin Lēthē, from Ancient Greek Λήθη (Lḗthē, “forgetfulness”). Possibly influenced bFrom Latin Lēthē, from Ancient Greek Λήθη (Lḗthē, “forgetfulness”).
Possibly influenced by Latin lētum (“killing”).
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Forms
plural: lethes| Singular | lethe |
|---|
uncountable
Synonyms
1 synonymsClose in meaning
- (Greek mythology) a river in Hades; the souls of the dead had to drink from it, which made them forget all they had done and suffered when they were alive:River Lethe
Word family
3 related wordsDerivedlethean
Lessons for this word
1 lessons- A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable