poet. [a. F. Averne ‘the pit of hell’ (Cotgr., 1611), ad. L. Avernus (sc. lacus), = Gr. ἄορνος (λίμνη) the birdless (lake), f. ἀ priv. + ὄρνις bird.] orig. A lake in Campania, the poisonous effluvium from which was said to kill birds flying over it. transf. The infernal regions.
1599. Greene, Alphon. (1861), 227. Pluto, king of dark Avern.
