[ noun ] (Greek mythology) a river in Hades; the souls of the dead had to drink from it, which made them forget all they had done and suffered when they were alive <noun.object>
Lethe \Le"the\ (l[=e]"th[-e]), n. [L., fr. Gr. lh`qh, prop., forgetfulness; akin to lanqa`nesqai to forget, lanqa`nein to escape notice.] 1. (Class. Myth.) A river of Hades whose waters when drunk caused forgetfulness of the past.
2. Oblivion; a draught of oblivion; forgetfulness.
Lethe \Le"the\ (l[=e]"th[-e] or l[=e]th), n. [See {Lethal}.] Death. [Obs.] --Shak.