Charon's staircase

noun

Char·​on's staircase

ˈka(a)rənz-,

ˈkār-,

-ˌränz-

: a flight of steps from the middle of the stage to the orchestra of an early Greek theater

Word History

Etymology

after Charon, ferryman of the dead in Hades, from Latin, from Greek Charōn; translation of Greek Charōnioi klimakes; from the steps' supposedly leading to the underworld

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