English

edit

Alternative forms

edit

Etymology

edit

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

edit

Noun

edit

cesspool (plural cesspools)

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

Synonyms

edit

Coordinate terms

edit

Derived terms

edit

Translations

edit

References

edit
  NODES
Note 1