I.the river Lethe, in the infernal regions, from which the Shades drank and obtained forgetfulness of the past: “pocula Lethes,” Ov. P. 2, 4, 23: “da mihi hebetantem pectora Lethen,” id. ib. 4, 1, 17: “soporifera,” id. Tr. 4, 1, 47: “immittere Lethen Stygiam alicui in viscera,” i. e. forgetfulness, Luc. 5, 221: “aqua Lethes, i. q. soporifera,” Ov. M. 11, 603.— Hence,
II. Lēthaeus , a, um, adj., of or belonging to Lethe, Lethean.
B. Transf.
1. Of or belonging to the infernal regions: “Lethaei dii,” Luc. 6, 685: “tyrannus,” i. e. Pluto, Col. 10, 271: “Lethaea vincula abrumpere alicui,” to bring one from the Lower World back to life, Hor. C. 4, 7, 27: “janitor,” i. e. Anubis, Stat. S. 3, 2, 112.—
2. That produces sleepiness or forgetfulness, Lethean: “Lethaeo perfusa papavera somno,” Verg. G. 1, 78: “ros,” id. A. 5, 854: “papavera,” id. G. 4, 545: “sucus,” Ov. M. 7, 152: “amor,” faithless love, id. R. Am. 551: “nox,” id. A. A. 3, 648.
