Ăvernus, a, um, adj., = ἄορνος.
I Without birds : loca, where no birds can live , on account of the pestiferous exhalations , Lucr. 6, 738 sq.; 6, 818: aestus, the vapor of Avernus , id. 6, 830.—But esp. Avernus lacus or absol. Avernus, Lake Avernus , near Cumae , Puteoli , and Baiae , almost entirely enclosed by steep and wooded hills (now Lago Averno ), whose deadly exhalations killed the birds flying over it; therefore the myth placed near it the entrance to the lower world, Plin. 3, 5, 9, § 61; Cic. Tusc. 1, 16, 37; Lucr. 6, 746; Verg. A. 6, 201 al.; cf. Mann. Ital. I. p. 718 sq.; Heyne, Excurs. II. ad Verg. A. 6.—The renowned Cumaean Sibyl also dwelt in a grotto near it.—Poet., the lower world , the infernal regions , Ov. Am. 3, 9, 27; Luc. 6, 636; Mart. 7, 46 al.—Also = Acheron: pigri sulcator Averni, Stat. Th. 11, 588.—Personified as a deity , acc. to Serv. ad Verg. G. 2, 164.—Hence,
II Another adj.: Ăvernus , a, um.
A Belonging to Lake Avernus : luci, Verg. A. 6, 118; 6, 564: valles, Ov. M. 10, 51: freta, Lake Avernus , Verg. G. 2, 164.—Also absol. : Ăverna , ōrum, n. (sc. loca), Verg. A. 3, 442; 7, 91; Ov. M. 14, 105.—
B Of or belonging to the infernal regions : stagna, Verg. G. 4, 493: tenebrae, Sil. 15, 76: Juno, i. e. Proserpina , Ov. M. 14, 114; Sil. 13, 601 (cf.: Juno inferna, Verg. A. 6, 138).