βάραθρον

English (LSJ)

[βᾰ], Ep. and Ion. βέρεθρον (q. v., cf. ζέρεθρον), shortd. βέθρον (q. v.), τό,

   A gulf, pit, Arist.Pr.947a19; esp.at Athens, a cleft into which criminals were thrown, Hdt.7.133, Ar.Nu.1450, Com.Adesp. 24.10 D., Pl.Grg.516c, AB219, Sch.Ar.Pl.431.    2 metaph., ἐν τῷ β. χειμάζειν D.8.45; ruin, perdition, Luc.Am.5, etc.; name of a courtesan, Theophil.Com.11.    II a woman's ornament, Ar.Fr. 320.8.    III = βράθυ, f.l. for βόρατον, Dsc.1.76. (Root gseq[uglide]er 'devour', cf. βορά.)