Hell , v. t. To overwhelm. [Obs.]
Spenser.
Hell (?), n. [AS. hell; akin to D.
hel, OHG. hella, G. hölle, Icel. hal, Sw. helfvete, Dan. helvede, Goth.
halja, and to AS. helan to conceal. &?;&?;&?;. Cf. Hele, v. t., Conceal,
Cell, Helmet,
Hole, Occult.]
1. The place of
the dead, or
of souls after death; the grave; -- called in Hebrew sheol, and by the
Greeks hades.
He descended into hell.
Book of Common Prayer. Thou wilt not
leave my soul in hell.
Ps. xvi. 10.
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.
It is a knell
That summons thee to heaven or
to hell.
Shak. 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.
Gates of hell. (Script.) See Gate, n.,
4.
Hear it pronounced