Lăb'y-rinth, n.
n. [Gr. λαβύρινθος, Lat. labyrinthus, It. labirinto, laberinto, Sp. laberinto, Fr. labyrinthe.]
Sense 1. An edifice or place full of intricacies, or formed with winding passages, which render it difficult to find the way from the interior to the entrance; as, the Egyptian and the Cretan labyrinths.
Sense 2. Any intricate or involved inclosure; especially, an ornamental maze or inclosure in a park or garden.
Sense 3. Any object or arrangement of an intricate or involved form.
The serpent . . . fast sleeping soon he found, In labyrinth of many a round self-rolled. Milton.
Sense 4. An inextricable or bewildering difficulty.
Sense 5. (Anat.) That part of the internal ear behind the cavity of the tympanum or drum.
Sense 6. (Metal.) A series of canals through which a stream of water is transmitted for suspending, carrying off, and depositing at different distances, the ground ore of a metal. Ure.
Synonyms—Maze; confusion; intricacy; windings.—LABYRINTH, MAZE. A labyrinth, among the ancients, was a building constructed with a multitude of winding passages, so that a person could hardly avoid being lost. Hence, figuratively, the word denotes any thing extremely intricate; as, the labyrinth of the human heart. Maze denotes the perplexity and confusion in which the mind is thrown by unexpected or inexplicable events; as, a maze of thought.
My soul is on her journey; do not now Divert or lead her back, to lose herself I'th' maze and winding labyrinths o'th' world. Denham.
The ways of Heaven are dark and intricate. Puzzled with mazes, and perplexed with error; Our understanding searches them in vain. Addison.