syrtis

noun

syr·​tis

ˈsərtə̇s

variants or syrt

ˈsərt

plural syrtes

-rt(ˌ)ēz,

-rˌtēz

or syrts

archaic

: quicksand, bog

Word History

Etymology

Latin Syrtis (from Greek), either of two inlets of the Mediterranean sea on the coast of northern Africa (Gulf of Gabès and Gulf of Sidra), known in classical times for their quicksands

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