cesspool

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English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From earlier sesspool. Origin uncertain.

Perhaps from Italian cesso (privy, toilet) + English pool. Alternatively, an alteration of English dialectal suspool, from suss, soss (puddle; mire) +‎ pool. Another possible derivation is from a folk etymology (influence from pool) from earlier cesperalle, alteration of Middle English suspiral, from Middle French souspirail (air hole), from soupirer, souspirer (to sigh, breathe), from Latin suspirare.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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cesspool (plural cesspools)

  1. An underground pit where sewage is held.
  2. (by extension) A filthy place.

Synonyms

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Coordinate terms

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Derived terms

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Translations

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References

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