cesspool
English
Alternative forms
- cess pool, sesspool
Etymology
From earlier sesspool. Origin uncertain.
From cessare (“to remove, to cause to withdraw”)[1]. Alternatively, an alteration of English dialectal suspool, from suss, soss (“puddle; mire”) + pool. Another possible derivation is from a folk etymology (influence from pool) from earlier cesperalle, alteration of Middle English suspiral, from Middle French souspirail (“air hole”), from soupirer, souspirer (“to sigh, breathe”), from Latin suspirare.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈsɛsˌpuːl/
Audio (UK) (file)
Noun
cesspool (plural cesspools)
- An underground pit where sewage is held.
- (by extension) A filthy place.
Synonyms
- cesspit
- gongpit
Coordinate terms
- septic tank
Translations
place for sewage
|
filthy place
|
References
- cesspool in Treccani.it – Vocabolario Treccani on line, Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana