a. Also 7–8 Lethæan. [f. L. Lēthæ-us (a. Gr. ληθαῖος, f. λήθη LETHE) + -AN.] Pertaining to the river Lethe; hence, pertaining to or causing oblivion or forgetfulness of the past.
c. 1645. Howell, Lett., III. vi. 10. I did not think Suffolk waters had such a lethæan quality in them.
1667. Milton, P. L., II. 604. They ferry over this Lethean Sound.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., IV. 786. Nine Mornings thence, Lethean Poppy bring.
1784. Cowper, Task, IV. 475. The craftsman there [at the tavern] Takes a Lethean leave of all his toil.
a. 1849. Poe, Poems, Ulalume, v. The Lethean peace of the skies.
1850. Tennyson, In Mem., xliv. If Death so taste Lethean springs.
1888. A. S. Wilson, Lyric of Hopeless Love, LV. 178. No murmured Lethean lullaby.
¶ b. (See quot.; as if from L. lēt(h)um death.)
1670. Blount, Glossogr., Lethean,… deadly, mortal, pestiferous.
