syrtis
noun
syr·tis
ˈsərtə̇s
variants or syrt
ˈsərt
plural syrtes
-rt(ˌ)ēz,
-rˌtēz
or syrts archaic
: quicksand, bog
Word History
Etymology
Latin Syrtis (from Greek), either of two inlets of the Mediterranean sea on the coast of northern Africa (Gulf of Gabès and Gulf of Sidra), known in classical times for their quicksands