n. [ L. abyssus a bottomless gulf, fr. Gr. &unr_; bottomless; 'a priv. + &unr_; depth, bottom. ] 1. A bottomless or unfathomed depth, gulf, or chasm; hence, any deep, immeasurable, and, specifically, hell, or the bottomless pit. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ye powers and spirits of this nethermost abyss. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

The throne is darkness, in the abyss of light. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Infinite time; a vast intellectual or moral depth. [ 1913 Webster ]

The abysses of metaphysical theology. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

In unfathomable abysses of disgrace. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Her.) The center of an escutcheon. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This word, in its leading uses, is associated with the cosmological notions of the Hebrews, having reference to a supposed illimitable mass of waters from which our earth sprung, and beneath whose profound depths the wicked were punished. Encyc. Brit. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. Abysmal. ] Belonging to, or resembling, an abyss; unfathomable. [ 1913 Webster ]

Abyssal zone (Phys. Geog.), one of the belts or zones into which Sir E. Forbes divides the bottom of the sea in describing its plants, animals, etc. It is the one furthest from the shore, embracing all beyond one hundred fathoms deep. Hence, abyssal animals, plants, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. same as Ethiopia.
Syn. -- Ethiopia, Yaltopya [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. Of or pertaining to Abyssinia. [ 1913 Webster ]

Abyssinian gold, an alloy of 90.74 parts of copper and 8.33 parts of zink. Ure. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A native of Abyssinia. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A member of the Abyssinian Church. [ 1913 Webster ]