sb. [L. Tartarus, a. Gr. Τάρταρος.] The infernal regions of ancient Greek and Roman mythology, or the lowest part of them; hence sometimes used for hell.
[1508. Kennedie, Flyting w. Dunbar, 552. Spynk, sink with stynk ad Tertara Termagorum.]
1586. Sir E. Hoby, trans. Cognet’s Pol. Disc. Truth, xxxi. 146. The strange kinde of punishmentes … prepared for the wicked in the gayle of vengeance, which he calleth Tartarus, a place of darkenesse and torments.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., III. xxxviii. (1839), 445. For example, that they [the damned] are in Inferno, in Tartarus, or in the bottomless pit.
1658. Sir T. Browne, Hydriot., iv. 60. Condemned unto the Tartara’s of Hell.
a. 1774. Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1834), II. 321. The enjoyments of Elysium and punishments of Tartarus.
1895. Salmond, Chr. Doctr. Immort., I. vii. 146. The incurably corrupt are hurled into Tartarus.
b. A place likened to Tartarus, in situation or character.
1821. De Quincey, Confess., I. (1822), 42. She never emerged from the dismal Tartarus of the kitchens, &c. to the upper air.
1853. Kane, Grinnell Exp., xxxi. 271. The temperature and foulness of air in the between-deck Tartarus can not be amended.
1887–8. trans. Hugo’s Notre-Dame, VIII. ii. This Tartarus was called simply The Question Chamber.
Hence Tartarus v. nonce-wd., trans. to consign to Tartarus (repr. Gr. ταρταροῦν, 2 Pet. ii. 4).
1856. S. R. Maitland, False Worship, 31. The apostle’s statement respecting the sinning Angels is, that, having been tartarus’c,… they have been reserved unto Judgment.
