lava
pronunciation
How to pronounce lava in British English:
UK [ˈlɑːvə]
How to pronounce lava in American English:
US [ˈlɑːvə]
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- Noun:
- rock that in its molten form (as magma) issues from volcanos; lava is what magma is called when it reaches the surface
Word Origin
- lava (n.)
- 1750, from Italian (Neapolitan or Calabrian dialect) lava "torrent, stream," traditionally from Latin lavare "to wash" (see lave). Originally applied in Italian to flash flood rivulets after downpours, then to streams of molten rock from Vesuvius. Alternative etymology is from Latin labes "a fall," from labi "to fall." Lava lamp is attested from 1965, also lava light (reg. U.S., 1968, as Lava Lite).
Example
- 1. It had been hidden under huge masses of lava .
- 2. The results provide an estimated age range for the lava flows .
- 3. But they are seas of frozen lava , not liquid water .
- 4. Their proximity to their stars could mean they are covered in lava .
- 5. The base camp is set up about 400 feet above the lava lake .