A.chaos, the first state of the universe, “πρώτιστα χ. γένετ᾽, αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα Γαῖ᾽ εὐρύστερνος κτλ.” Hes.Th.116, cf. Ibyc.28, Epich.170.3, Acus.Fr.5J., Arist.Metaph.1091b6, Ar.Av. 693 (anap.); “χάους . . παῖς καλεῦμαι” Simm.Alae7; represented sts. as infinite space, S.E.P.3.121, cf. Plot.6.8.11; sts. as unformed matter, Luc.Am.32 (esp., acc. to the Stoics, water, Zeno Stoic.1.29 (with deriv. fr. χέω)).
3. the nether abyss, infinite darkness, joined with Ἔρεβος, Pl.Ax.371e; with ὄρφνη, Q.S. 2.614; represented as in the interior of the globe, Plu.2.953a; χάους κύνα, of Cerberus, APl.4.91.
b. generally, darkness, A.R.4.1697.
4. any vast gulf or chasm, LXX Mi.1.6, Za.14.4; of a pit, Opp.C.4.92; of the gaping jaws of the crocodile, ib.3.414, cf. 4.161, H.5.52.
5. Pythag. name for one, Theol.Ar.6.