Hell

Main Entry: hell Pronunciation: 'helFunction: nounEtymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old English helan to conceal, Old High German helan, Latin celare, Greek kalyptein1 a (1) : a nether world in which the dead continue to exist : HADES (2) : the nether realm of the devil and the demons in which the damned suffer everlasting punishment -- often used in curses or as a generalized term of abuse b Christian Science : ERROR 2b, SIN2 a : a place or state of misery, torment, or wickedness b : a place or state of turmoil or destruction c : a severe scolding d : unrestrained fun or sportiveness -- often used in the phrase for the hell of it especially to suggest action on impulse or without a serious motive 3 archaic : a tailor's receptacle4 -- used as an interjection or as an intensive -- often used in the phrase hell of a or hell out of or with the or in - from hell : being the worst or most dreadful of its kind- hell on : very hard on or destructive to - hell or high water : difficulties of whatever kind or size - hell to pay : dire consequences