† geˈhenne Obs. rare.
Also 5 gehyne.
[a. F. gehenne, ad. eccl. L. gehenna: see prec. The word was early confused with gehine confession, examination of accused persons by torture (mod.F. gêne discomfort), whence the form in quot. 1481.]
a. A hell, place of torment. b. Judicial torture.
| 1481 Caxton Myrr. ii. xviii. 107 Thise ben the terryble gehynes stynkynge And there is the fyre so ouer moche ardaunt. 1646 Buck Rich. III, iii. 93 The fame was the Question or Gehenne was given Him [Perkin]. |