gates of hell

1 definition found

gates of hell - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Hell \Hell\, n. [AS. hell; akin to D. hel, OHG. hella, G.
     h["o]lle, Icel. hal, Sw. helfvete, Dan. helvede, Goth. halja,
     and to AS. helan to conceal. ???. Cf. Hele, v. t.,
     Conceal, Cell, Helmet, Hole, Occult.]
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     1. The place of the dead, or of souls after death; the grave;
        -- called in Hebrew sheol, and by the Greeks hades.
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              He descended into hell.               --Book of
                                                    Common Prayer.
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              Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell.  --Ps. xvi. 10.
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     2. The place or state of punishment for the wicked after
        death; the abode of evil spirits. Hence, any mental
        torment; anguish. "Within him hell." --Milton.
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              It is a knell
              That summons thee to heaven or to hell. --Shak.
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     3. A place where outcast persons or things are gathered; as:
        (a) A dungeon or prison; also, in certain running games, a
            place to which those who are caught are carried for
            detention.
        (b) A gambling house. "A convenient little gambling hell
            for those who had grown reckless." --W. Black.
        (c) A place into which a tailor throws his shreds, or a
            printer his broken type. --Hudibras.
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     Gates of hell. (Script.) See Gate, n., 4.
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