'Gates of hell' definitions:

Definition of 'Gates of hell'

From: GCIDE

Hell \Hell\, n. [AS. hell; akin to D. hel, OHG. hella, G. h["o]lle, Icel. hal, Sw. helfvete, Dan. helvede, Goth. halja, and to AS. helan to conceal. ???. Cf. Hele, v. t., Conceal, Cell, Helmet, Hole, Occult.] [1913 Webster]
1. The place of the dead, or of souls after death; the grave; -- called in Hebrew sheol, and by the Greeks hades. [1913 Webster]
He descended into hell. --Book of Common Prayer. [1913 Webster]
Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell. --Ps. xvi. 10. [1913 Webster]
2. The place or state of punishment for the wicked after death; the abode of evil spirits. Hence, any mental torment; anguish. "Within him hell." --Milton. [1913 Webster]
It is a knell That summons thee to heaven or to hell. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
3. A place where outcast persons or things are gathered; as: (a) A dungeon or prison; also, in certain running games, a place to which those who are caught are carried for detention. (b) A gambling house. "A convenient little gambling hell for those who had grown reckless." --W. Black. (c) A place into which a tailor throws his shreds, or a printer his broken type. --Hudibras. [1913 Webster]
Gates of hell. (Script.) See Gate, n., 4. [1913 Webster]