lethes

Noun (1)

lethe (usually uncountable, plural lethes)

1. (usually) Forgetfulness of the past; oblivion.
   • So in the Lethe of thy angry ſoule,
     Thou drowne the ſad remembrance of thoſe wrongs,
     Which thou ſuppoſest I haue done to thee.c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and...
2. (usually) Dissimulation.
   • Till that the conquering Wine hath ſteep't our ſenſe,
     In ſoft and delicate Lethe.c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard...

Noun (2)

lethe (usually uncountable, plural lethes)

1. (obsolete, rare, usually) Death.
   • Pardon me Iulius, here was't thou bay'd braue Hart,
     Heere did'ſt thou fall, and heere thy Hunters ſtand
     Sign'd in thy Spoyle, and Crimſon'd in thy Lethee.1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Iulius Cæsar”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward]...

See all 5 meanings of lethe