Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Atlantean ruin

Atlantean ruin

9.9
Ruins believed to be from the famous lost city of Atlantis that often lie under the sea
  • noun
  • /ætlænˈtiːən ruːɪn/
  • Literature
translation icon : ruina atlanteana
  • Archaeologists have long debated whether any Atlantean ruin actually exists beneath the ocean.

Examples

  • The novel describes an ancient Atlantean ruin filled with mysterious technology.

  • Many explorers have searched for evidence of an Atlantean ruin throughout history.

  • The Atlantean ruin was discovered last year.

  • Many tourists visit the Atlantean ruins every summer.

  • Archaeologists have long debated whether any Atlantean ruin truly reflects the legendary city of Atlantis.

  • Legends speak of ancient civilizations that built magnificent Atlantean ruins before their disappearance.

  • Many explorers dream of uncovering a hidden Atlantean ruin that holds secrets of the past.

Surface Forms

Atlantean ruin singular
Atlantean ruins plural

Morphology

Atlantean + ruin

The phrase is a straightforward adjective + noun composition: 'Atlantean' (pertaining to Atlantis) + 'ruin' (remains of a structure) yields the meaning 'ruins from Atlantis'. There is no idiomatic shift or metaphorical extension, so a learner who knows both constituents can derive the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Atlantean ruin comes from the old story of Atlantis, a rich island city that, the tale says, 'sank beneath the sea' and left buildings under water. So Atlantean ruin means the remains people think came from that lost city.