Chasma

2010-2011

χάσμα , ατος, τό, (χαίνω)
A. yawning chasm, gulf, χ. μέγα, of Tartarus, Hes.Th.740; “Ταρτάρου . . ἄβυσσα χ.” E.Ph.1605; “χ. γῆς” Hdt. 7.30; “τὰ χ. τῆς γῆς” Pl.Phd.111e; χθονός, πέτρας, E.Ion281, IT626; “σεισμοὶ καὶ χάσματα” Jul.Laod. in Cat.Cod.Astr.1.134.
II. open, gaping mouth, “χ. θηρός” E.HF363 (lyr.); as forming a helmet, Id.Rh.209; of a yawning gulf, “χάρυβδις . . ἄρμα περιβαλοῦσα χάσματι” Id.Supp.501; “Σκύλλης χάσμασιν” AP11.379 (Agath.); χ. φάρυγος, of a lion, ib.6.218 (Alc.); “χ. ὀδόντων” Anacreont.24.4, etc.
III. generally, any wide opening, “θυρέτρων χ. ἀχανές” Parm.1.18; also, expanse, of the sky and sea, “χ. πελάγεος τὸ δὴ Αἰγαῖον καλέεται” Hdt. 4.85; “τὸ χ. τοῦ οὐρανοῦ” Pl.R.614d.