inferno (n.)

1834, "Hell, the infernal regions," from Italian inferno, from Late Latin infernus "Hell," in classical Latin "the lower world" (see infernal). As "a large, raging fire" from 1928.

Entries linking to inferno

infernal (adj.)

late 14c., "of or pertaining to the underworld," (ancient Tartarus, the sunless abode of the dead, or the Christian Hell), from Old French enfernal, infernal "of Hell, hellish" (12c.), from Late Latin infernalis "of or belonging to the lower regions," from infernus "hell" (Ambrose), in classical Latin "the lower (world)," noun use of infernus "lower, lying beneath, underground, of the lower regions," from infra "below" (see infra-).

Pluto was infernus rex, and Latin inferi meant "the inhabitants of the infernal regions, the dead." Association of the word with fire and heat is via the Christian conception of Hell. Meaning "devilish, hateful" is from early 15c.; meaning "suitable for or appropriate to Hell" is from c. 1600. As a name of Hell, or a word for things which resemble it, the Italian form inferno has been used in English since 1834, via Dante. Related: Infernally.

Share inferno

‘cite’

Page URL:

https://www.etymonline.com/word/inferno

HTML Link:

<a href="https://www.etymonline.com/word/inferno">Etymology of inferno by etymonline</a>

APA style:

Harper, D. (n.d.). Etymology of inferno. Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved $(datetime), from https://www.etymonline.com/word/inferno

Chicago style:

Harper Douglas, “Etymology of inferno,” Online Etymology Dictionary, accessed $(datetime), https://www.etymonline.com/word/inferno.

MLA style:

Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of inferno.” Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/inferno. Accessed $(datetimeMla).

IEEE style:

D. Harper. “Etymology of inferno.” Online Etymology Dictionary. https://www.etymonline.com/word/inferno (accessed $(datetime)).

updated on November 19, 2015

Definitions of inferno from WordNet

inferno (n.)

any place of pain and turmoil;

the inferno of the engine room

Synonyms: hell / hell on earth / hellhole / snake pit / the pits

inferno (n.)

a very intense and uncontrolled fire;

Synonyms: conflagration

Inferno (n.)

(Christianity) the abode of Satan and the forces of evil; where sinners suffer eternal punishment; "Hurl'd headlong...To bottomless perdition, there to dwell"- John Milton; "Hell is paved with good intentions"-Dr. Johnson;

Synonyms: Hell / perdition / infernal region / nether region / pit

From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.

Dictionary entries near inferno

inference

inferential

inferior

inferiority

infernal

inferno

infertile

infertility

infest

infestation

infibulate