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labyrinth

   Also found in: Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.12 sec.
lab·y·rinth  (lb-rnth)
n.
1.
a. An intricate structure of interconnecting passages through which it is difficult to find one's way; a maze.
b. Labyrinth Greek Mythology The maze in which the Minotaur was confined.
2. Something highly intricate or convoluted in character, composition, or construction: a labyrinth of rules and regulations.
3. Anatomy
a. A group of complex interconnecting anatomical cavities.
b. See inner ear.

[Middle English laberinthe, from Latin labyrinthus, from Greek laburinthos; possibly akin to labrus, double-headed axe, of Lydian origin.]

labyrinth [lab-er-inth]
Noun
1. a mazelike network of tunnels or paths, either natural or man-made
2. any complex or confusing system
3. the interconnecting cavities of the internal ear [Greek laburinthos]
labyrinthine adj

labyrinth  (lb-rnth)
The system of interconnecting canals and spaces that make up the inner ear of many vertebrates. The labyrinth has both a bony component, made up of the cochlea, the semicircular canals, and the vestibule, and a membranous one.

Labyrinth an intricate, complicated, or tortuous arrangement.
Examples: labyrinth of islands, 1778; of peristyles and pediments, 1873; of rivulets and canals, 1777; of scattered suburbs, 1843; of small veins and arteries, 1615.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.labyrinthlabyrinth - complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost
system - instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity; "he bought a new stereo system"; "the system consists of a motor and a small computer"
2.labyrinthlabyrinth - a complex system of interconnecting cavities; concerned with hearing and equilibrium
neuroepithelium - epithelium associated with special sense organs and containing sensory nerve endings
sense organ, sensory receptor, receptor - an organ having nerve endings (in the skin or viscera or eye or ear or nose or mouth) that respond to stimulation
auditory apparatus - all of the components of the organ of hearing including the outer and middle and inner ears
membranous labyrinth - the sensory structures of the inner ear including the labyrinthine receptors and the cochlea; contained within the bony labyrinth
bony labyrinth, osseous labyrinth - cavity in the petrous part of the temporal bone that contains the membranous labyrinth
endolymph - the bodily fluid that fills the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear
perilymph - the bodily fluid that fills the space between the bony labyrinth and the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear
semicircular canal - one of three tube loops filled with fluid and in planes nearly at right angles with one another; concerned with equilibrium
cochlea - the snail-shaped tube (in the inner ear coiled around the modiolus) where sound vibrations are converted into nerve impulses by the organ of Corti
artery of the labyrinth, internal auditory artery, labyrinthine artery - an artery that is a branch of the basilar artery that supplies the labyrinth
internal auditory vein, labyrinthine vein - veins that drain the inner ear

labyrinth
Translations
Spanish labyrinth [ˈlæbɪrɪnθ] nlaberinto
French labyrinth [ˈlæbɪrɪnθ] nlabyrinthe m, dédale m
German labyrinth [ˈlæbɪrɪnθ] nLabyrinth nt
Italian labyrinth [ˈlæbɪrɪnθ] nlabirinto

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"We are now," said Ariadne, "in the famous labyrinth which Daedalus built before he made himself a pair of wings, and flew away from our island like a bird.
About twelve by the moon-dial One, more filmy than the rest(A kind which, upon trial, They have found to be the best) Comes down - still down - and down With its centre on the crown Of a mountain's eminence, While its wide circumference In easy drapery falls Over hamlets, over halls, Wherever they may be - O'er the strange woods - o'er the sea - Over spirits on the wing - Over every drowsy thing - And buries them up quite In a labyrinth of light - And then, how deep
Every few steps other lofty and still narrower crevices branched from it on either hand -- for McDougal's cave was but a vast labyrinth of crooked aisles that ran into each other and out again and led nowhere.
 
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