Labyrinth

Labyrinth
Labyrinth Lab"y*rinth, n. [L. labyrinthus, Gr. laby`rinthos: cf. F. labyrinthe.] 1. An edifice or place full of intricate passageways which render it difficult to find the way from the interior to the entrance; as, the Egyptian and Cretan labyrinths. [1913 Webster]

Note: The Labyrinth of Classical Mythology was a vast maze constructed by Daedalus on the island of Crete, in order to confine the Minotaur; the task was done at the command of King Minos. One theory suggests that the myth had some basis in the structure of the palace of King Minos at Knossos, in Crete, it being a multistoried royal palace with labyrinthine passages between rooms. [PJC]

2. Hence: Any intricate or involved inclosure; especially, an ornamental maze or inclosure in a park or garden, having high hedges separating confusingly convoluted passages. [1913 Webster]

3. Any object or arrangement of an intricate or involved form, or having a very complicated nature. [1913 Webster]

The serpent . . . fast sleeping soon he found, In labyrinth of many a round self-rolled. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

The labyrinth of the mind. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]

4. An inextricable or bewildering difficulty. [1913 Webster]

I' the maze and winding labyrinths o' the world. --Denham. [1913 Webster]

5. (Anat.) The internal ear. See Note under {Ear}. [1913 Webster]

6. (Metal.) A series of canals through which a stream of water is directed for suspending, carrying off, and depositing at different distances, the ground ore of a metal. --Ure. [1913 Webster]

7. (Arch.) A pattern or design representing a maze, -- often inlaid in the tiled floor of a church, etc. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Maze; confusion; intricacy; windings.

Usage: {Labyrinth}, {Maze}. Labyrinth, originally; the name of an edifice or excavation, carries the idea of design, and construction in a permanent form, while maze is used of anything confused or confusing, whether fixed or shifting. Maze is less restricted in its figurative uses than labyrinth. We speak of the labyrinth of the ear, or of the mind, and of a labyrinth of difficulties; but of the mazes of the dance, the mazes of political intrigue, or of the mind being in a maze. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Labyrinth — Labyrinth …   Deutsch Wörterbuch

  • Labyrinth — (palabra del inglés que en castellano se traduce como «laberinto») puede referirse a: Labyrinth, una película estadounidense dirigida en 1986 por Jim Henson; Labyrinth, la banda sonora de la mencionada película; Labyrinth, una novela… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Labyrinth — • A complicated arrangement of paths and passages; or a place, usually subterraneous, full of windings, corridors, rooms, etc., so intricately arranged as to render the getting out of it a very difficult matter Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Labyrinth — Labyrinth, ein berühmter unterirdischer Bau bei der Stadt Knossos auf der Insel Kreta (Kandia), eins der sieben Weltwunder der Alten, dessen Erbauer der kunstfertige Dädalos unter der Regierung König Minos II. war. Das Labyrinth hat allen spätern …   Damen Conversations Lexikon

  • Labyrinth — Sn std. (16. Jh.) Entlehnung. Entlehnt aus l. labyrinthus m., dieses aus gr. labýrinthos m. Vor allem bekannt durch das Labyrinth des Minos von Knossos, aus dem Theseus mit Hilfe des Fadens der Ariadne wieder herausfand. Danach in verschiedener… …   Etymologisches Wörterbuch der deutschen sprache

  • labyrinth — (n.) c.1400, laberynthe (late 14c. in Latinate form laborintus) labyrinth, maze, figuratively bewildering arguments, from L. labyrinthus, from Gk. labyrinthos maze, large building with intricate passages, especially the structure built by… …   Etymology dictionary

  • Labyrinth — (Берлин,Германия) Категория отеля: Адрес: Torstraße 129, Митте, 10119 Берлин, Германия …   Каталог отелей

  • Labyrinth [1] — Labyrinth (ein Wort von Ungewissem Ursprung, auch Einigen aus dem Ägyptischen, nach Andern vom griechischen λαύρα, Gang zwischen Häusern od. Weg durch Felsen) bedeutet 1) ein großes, aus vielen Hosen u. sich vielfach kreuzenden u. verschlingenden …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Labyrinth [2] — Labyrinth, Insel u. Sandbankkette an der nördlichen Ostküste von Australien, sich vom Cap York bis Cap Tribulation erstreckend …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Labyrinth [1] — Labyrinth (ägyptisch griech.), ursprünglich ein verwickelter Bau mit sich kreuzenden Gängen, vielen Kammern und nur einem oder wenigen Ausgängen, so daß man sich schwer herausfinden konnte; dann eine ähnliche Gartenanlage (Irrgarten) und… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

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