AVERNUS

1 definition found

From THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY ((C)1911 Released April 15 1993) [devils]:

  AVERNUS, n.  The lake by which the ancients entered the infernal
  regions.  The fact that access to the infernal regions was obtained by
  a lake is believed by the learned Marcus Ansello Scrutator to have
  suggested the Christian rite of baptism by immersion.  This, however,
  has been shown by Lactantius to be an error.
  


      _Facilis descensus Averni,_
          The poet remarks; and the sense
      Of it is that when down-hill I turn I
          Will get more of punches than pence.
                                                          Jehal Dai Lupe
  
  
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