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16 April, 2019

Barathrum: Word of the Day

Barathrum [L., a Gk. βαραθρov.] A pit, gulf.  Hence: a. A deep pit at Athens, into which criminals condemned to death were thrown. b. (earlier in Eng.) The abyss, hell. c. An insatiable extortioner or glutton (so in It.).

c. 1609 Man in Moone (1849) 27 A bottomless Barathrum , a mercilesse money-changer.  1633 MASSINGER New Way III. ii  You barathrum of the shambles.

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