underworld

[ uhn-der-wurld ]

/ ˈʌn dərˌwɜrld /

the criminal element of human society.

the imagined abode of departed souls or spirits; Hades.

a region below the surface, as of the earth or a body of water.

the opposite side of the earth; the antipodes.

Archaic. the earth.

Origin of underworld

First recorded in 1600–10; under- + world

For most heroes, the second cycle of the monomyth involves a physical journey into the underworld.

The Walking Dead’s Luke Skywalker: Rick Grimes Is the Perfect Modern-Day Mythical Hero |Regina Lizik |October 28, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Rick flees the underworld, in this case the prison, and returns to the world as a hero.

The Walking Dead’s Luke Skywalker: Rick Grimes Is the Perfect Modern-Day Mythical Hero |Regina Lizik |October 28, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
In actuality, an encounter with a goddess of the underworld is another step in the second cycle of the monomyth.

The Walking Dead’s Luke Skywalker: Rick Grimes Is the Perfect Modern-Day Mythical Hero |Regina Lizik |October 28, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The conservation world, Carlisle says, is “not prepared to take on underworld.”

South Africa’s Great Rhino Airlift |Nina Strochlic |August 17, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

The ancient Maya believed that the underworld of caves was home to gods that controlled rainfall and harvest bounties.

The Cave Where Mayans Sacrificed Humans Is Open for Visitors |Nina Strochlic |August 14, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Figures tumbled out of it, in torn and ragged garments fashioned in the style of the very best tailors of the Earths underworld.

The Fifth-Dimension Tube |William Fitzgerald Jenkins
In Teutonic mythology the “mead” is taken from a hidden mountain spring, which issued from “Mimer's well” in the Underworld.

Indian Myth and Legend |Donald Alexander Mackenzie
But for the first time in his life, here in the underworld of San Francisco, in all equality he met such persons from above.

Michael, Brother of Jerry |Jack London
He was full of interesting stories of the underworld and his dry humor and strange philosophy amused and entertained Jimmy.

The Efficiency Expert |Edgar Rice Burroughs
You have expressed your interest in the sand-hog, given vent to a desire to go down into their underworld.

The Modern Railroad |Edward Hungerford

underworld

/ (ˈʌndəˌwɜːld) /

the regions below the earth's surface regarded as the abode of the dead; Hades

Related adjectives: chthonian, chthonic