Pandemonium

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ËŒpændɪˈməʊnɪəm/
• US IPA: /ËŒpændəˈmoÊŠniÉ™m/
• Rhymes: -əʊniÉ™m

Alternative forms

• pandaemonium
• pandæmonium

Origin

Coined by John Milton in "Paradise Lost," Pandæmonium, from Ancient Greek πᾶν (pan, "all") (equivalent to English pan-) + Late Latin daemonium ("evil spirit, demon"), from Ancient Greek δαίμων (daimōn, "demon").

Full definition of pandemonium

Noun

1. (archaic) A place where all demons live; Hell.
• 1674 — John Milton, , Book IAnd Trumpets sound throughout the Host proclaim
  A solemn Councel forthwith to be held
  At Pandæmonium, the high Capitol
  Of Satan and his Peers.
2. Chaos; tumultuous or lawless violence.
• 2004, Boston Globe, October 22Whenever you have violent pandemonium, there's the overwhelming possibility for panic and tragedy.
3. An outburst; loud, riotous uproar, especially of a crowd.

Synonyms

• tumultuous or lawless violence: chaos
• an outburst: outburst, uproar

Related terms

• pandemoniac