chthonic

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The Word of the Day for January 5 is:=20

chthonic   \THAH-nik\   adjective
          : of or relating to the underworld : infernal=20

Example sentence:
          Laleh compared entering her brother's basement bedroom to a de=
scent into chthonic regions: it was dark and odd-smelling, and she was a=
 little frightened of what she might find there.

Did you know?
          "Chthonic" might seem a lofty and learned word, but it's actua=
lly pretty down-to-earth in its origin and meaning. It comes from "chtho=
n, "which means "earth" in Greek, and it is associated with things that =
dwell in or under the earth. It is most commonly used in discussions of =
mythology, particularly underworld mythology. Hades and Persephone, who =
reign over the underworld in Greek mythology, might be called "chthonic =
deities," for example. "Chthonic" has broader applications, too. It can =
be used to describe something that resembles a mythological underworld (=
e.g.,"chthonic darkness"), and it is sometimes used to describe earthly =
or natural things (as opposed to those that are elevated or celestial).





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