I.a raging abyss, whirlpool, gulf (syn.: vorago, barathrum).
I. Lit. (class.): “non Rheni fossam gurgitibus illis redundantem,” Cic. Pis. 33, 81: “turbidus hic coeno vastaque voragine gurges Aestuat,” Verg. A. 6, 296: “multamque trahens sub gurgite arenam Volturnus,” Ov. M. 15, 714: “alterno procurrens gurgite pontus,” Verg. A. 11, 624: “per medios gurgites (opp. vada),” Liv. 21, 5, 14: “deficientibus animis hauriebantur gurgitibus,” id. 22, 6, 7: “caenosus,” the Styx, Juv. 3, 266.—
II. Transf.
A. In gen., waters, stream, sea (poet.): “fessos jam gurgite Phoebus Ibero Tingat equos,” Verg. A. 11, 913: “Euboicus,” Ov. M. 9, 227: “Carpathius,” Verg. G. 4, 387: “Atlanteus,” Stat. Ach. 1, 223: “Tusci,” id. S. 4, 5, 4: “gurgite ab alto,” Verg. A. 6, 310; 7, 704: “Herculeus,” i. e. the Atlantic, beyond Gibraltar, Juv. 14, 280.—
B. Of insatiable craving, an abyss; of persons, a spendthrift, prodigal: “qui immensa aliqua vorago est, aut gurges vitiorum turpitudinumque omnium,” Cic. Verr. 2, 3, 9, § 23; cf.: “divitias in profundissimum libidinum gurgitem profundere,” id. Sest. 43, 93: “gurges ac vorago patrimonii,” id. ib. 52, 111; cf.: “ille gurges atque heluo, natus abdomini suo,” id. Pis. 17, 41: “Apicius, nepotum omnium altissimus gurges,” Plin. 10, 48, 68, § 133.
