underworld

noun

1. The world of the dead, located underneath the world of the living; the afterlife.

   “In Hindu scriptures, the four-eyed dogs Śārvara and Śyāma guard the underworld's entrance.”

2. That part of society that is engaged in crime or vice, and particularly those involved in organized crime.

   “A disproportionate amount of local politicians have connections to the underworld.”

3. The portion of a game that is set below ground.

   “In the underworld theme, low notes create a darker feeling that matches the cave setting. This song also creates a sense of continuity across early Mario games, since it's a remix of SMB1's original underworld theme.”

4. (alt-of)Alternative letter-case form of underworld.

   “In Scandinavian mythology the dragon is the guardian of the Underworld on the Norse sacred tree, which is the realm of departed spirits, elementals, elves and faery folk ruled by the goddesses Hel and Freya.”

   “At Imbolc, the goddess is transformed from her aged, winter aspect as the Hag, veiled in black, carrying her black rod of barreness as Hela, guardian of the mysteries of death and the Underworld.”

   “I know that the centre of this labyrinth is keyed to the Underworld, the Land of the Dead, but that's not my goal.”