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Chthonic Thah Nik Adjective Relating Underworld Greek Chthon Earth

This flashcard defines "chthonic" as relating to the underworld or the earth.

Relating to the underworld or the earth.

Front chthonic \THAH-nik (TH as in "think")\
Back adjective
Of or relating to the underworld.

[From Greek chthon (earth). Ultimately from the Indo-European root dhghem- (earth), which also sprouted human, homicide, humble, homage, chameleon, chamomile, inhume, exhume, and Persian zamindar (landholder). Earliest documented use: 1882.]

"The earth's crust is riddled with unresolved tensions -- prod, pierce or bend it enough and these chthonic stresses will find sudden release." - Notes from Underground; The Economist (London, UK); Apr 21, 2012.

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