English Explanatory Dictionary

labyrinth

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A maze-like structure built by Daedalus in Knossos, containing the Minotaur.
  2. A complicated irregular network of passages or paths, especially underground or covered, in which it is difficult to find one's way.
  3. A maze formed by paths separated by high hedges.
  4. A structure similar to a maze, but containing only one path with no branches, as distinguished from a maze which contains multiple branching paths
  5. Anything complicated and confusing in structure, arrangement, or character.
  6. A tortuous anatomical structure:
  7. A complex structure in the inner ear which contains the organs of hearing and balance, consisting of bony cavities (the bony labyrinth) filled with fluid and lined with sensitive membranes (the membranous labyrinth).
  8. An accessory respiratory organ of certain fish.
  9. Any of various satyrine butterflies of the genus Neope.
verb
  1. To enclose in a labyrinth, or as though in a labyrinth.
  2. To arrange in the form of a labyrinth.
  3. To twist and wind, following a labyrinthine path.
  4. To become lost and confused, as if in a labyrinth.

Pronunciation

/ˈlæb.ə.ɹɪnθ/ /ˈlæb.ɹɪnθ/ en-us-labyrinth.ogg

Word forms

labyrinth labyrinths labyrinthing labyrinthed

Etymology

From Middle English laberynt, laberynthe, from Latin labyrinthus, from Ancient Greek λᾰβύρῐνθος (lăbúrĭnthos, “a maze”).

Synonyms

maze

Derived words

bony labyrinth ethmoidal labyrinth labyrinthal labyrinthectomy labyrinth fish labyrinthial labyrinthian labyrinthic labyrinthical labyrinthiform labyrinthine labyrinthitis labyrinthlike labyrinthopathy labyrinth organ labyrinthosis labyrinth seal osseous labyrinth
This entry uses open data from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA/GFDL). Word forms are used for search and are not indexed as separate pages.
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