OpenEtymology

hellhound

UKˈhelhaʊndUSˈhelhaʊnd

Meaning

1n.

地狱犬(神话中守卫地狱的恶犬)

2n.

凶恶残暴的人

Usage

In mythology, the hellhound guards the gates of the underworld.

神话中,地狱犬守卫着冥界的大门。

The tyrant was feared as a hellhound for his cruelty.

那位暴君因残暴行事而被畏惧为地狱恶犬。

Legends describe the hellhound with glowing eyes and fiery breath.

传说中地狱犬双眼发光并喷吐火焰。

Etymology

该词由古英语复合词演化而来,直译为“地狱之犬”。hell 代表死亡与惩罚的领域,hound 则象征追踪与狩猎的猛兽。两者结合自然衍生出“守护地狱的恶犬”的本义,后通过隐喻扩展形容“残暴之人”,体现其如恶犬般凶恶的特质。

Hellhound Meaning, Examples & Word Origin | OpenEtymology