syrtis

== English == === Alternative forms === syrt === Etymology === From Latin syrtis, from Syrtis (“Sirte, Gulf of Syrtis”), from Ancient Greek Σύρτις (Súrtis), an area of Libya proverbially treacherous for sailing owing to the effect of wind and waves on its quicksand. Doublet of Sirte. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /sərtəz/ === Noun === syrtis (plural syrtes) (archaic) Synonym of quicksand. (archaic) Synonym of bog. === References === “syrtis”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC. “syrtis”, in Merriam-Webster.com Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present. == Latin == === Etymology === Generalized form of Syrtis (“Sirte, Gulf of Syrtis”), from Ancient Greek Σύρτις (Súrtis), an area of Libya proverbially treacherous for sailing owing to the effect of wind and waves on its quicksand. === Noun === syrtis f (genitive syrtis); third declension sandbank, sand bar, quicksand ==== Declension ==== Third-declension noun (i-stem, accusative singular in -im or -in, ablative singular in -ī). ==== Descendants ==== → English: syrtis, syrt