Stygian

[ stij-ee-uh n ]

/ ˈstɪdʒ i ən /

of or relating to the river Styx or to Hades.

dark or gloomy.

infernal; hellish.

Also styg·i·an (for defs 2, 3).

Origin of Stygian

1560–70; < Latin Stygi(us) < Greek Stýgios ( Styg-, stem of Stýx Styx + -ios adj. suffix) + -an

trans-Styg·i·an, adjective

The moon was just rising above the horizon, but under the trees the darkness was Stygian.

The Hill |Horace Annesley Vachell
Justus Miles was the first to come to, and he found himself in Stygian blackness.

The Heads of Apex |Francis Flagg
At the far end of this courtyard a shadowy pavilion arose, culled from the Stygian gloom by the sheen of the lightnings.

Under the Witches' Moon |Nathan Gallizier
Not a star could blink a wan ray of light into that Stygian pit.

The Man of the Forest |Zane Grey

He descended by a cave situated on the side of the promontory of Tænarus, and arrived in the Stygian realm.

The Classic Myths in English Literature and in Art (2nd ed.) (1911) |Charles Mills Gayley

Stygian

/ (ˈstɪdʒɪən) /

of or relating to the river Styx

mainly literary

C16: from Latin Stygius, from Greek Stugios, from Stux Styx; related to stugein to hate