Lethe
noun
In Greek mythology, a river in Hades that caused forgetfulness in those who drank its waters.
The souls of the dead would drink from the while crossing the underworld, erasing their previous human knowledge and memories.
Often appears as...
- drink from lethe
- fall into lethe
Usage tips
Academic
noun
Forgetfulness or oblivion.
He spent his days in a state of lethe, ignoring his responsibilities.
noun
In Greek mythology, a river in Hades that caused forgetfulness in those who drank its waters.
The souls of the dead would drink from the while crossing the underworld, erasing their previous human knowledge and memories.
Often appears as...
- drink from lethe
- fall into lethe
Usage tips
Academic
noun
Forgetfulness or oblivion.
He spent his days in a state of lethe, ignoring his responsibilities.
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Mythological Origin
Remember that 'lethe' originates from Greek mythology and is often used in literary or historical contexts.
Poets sometimes reference drinking from the river of lethe as a metaphor for forgetting.
Pro Tip 2/3Literary Symbolism
'Lethe' is symbolically linked to forgetting past troubles or the relief of memory's burdens.
After her journey, she felt as if she bathed in the river of lethe, unburdened.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Associations
Understanding 'lethe' may require familiarity with Western literary and cultural references to Hades and the afterlife.
His memoir avoided the darker times, a narrative lethe cleansing historical memory.
Pro Tip 1/3Mythological Origin
Remember that 'lethe' originates from Greek mythology and is often used in literary or historical contexts.
Poets sometimes reference drinking from the river of lethe as a metaphor for forgetting.
Pro Tip 2/3Literary Symbolism
'Lethe' is symbolically linked to forgetting past troubles or the relief of memory's burdens.
After her journey, she felt as if she bathed in the river of lethe, unburdened.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Associations
Understanding 'lethe' may require familiarity with Western literary and cultural references to Hades and the afterlife.
His memoir avoided the darker times, a narrative lethe cleansing historical memory.
Pro Tip 1/3Mythological Origin
Remember that 'lethe' originates from Greek mythology and is often used in literary or historical contexts.
Poets sometimes reference drinking from the river of lethe as a metaphor for forgetting.
Pro Tip 2/3Literary Symbolism
'Lethe' is symbolically linked to forgetting past troubles or the relief of memory's burdens.
After her journey, she felt as if she bathed in the river of lethe, unburdened.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Associations
Understanding 'lethe' may require familiarity with Western literary and cultural references to Hades and the afterlife.
His memoir avoided the darker times, a narrative lethe cleansing historical memory.
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