Crater

First coined 1613, from Latin crater ("basin"), from Ancient Greek ÎºÏÎ±Ï„Î®Ï ("mixingbowl, wassail-bowl").

Full definition of crater

(plural craters)

(astronomy) A hemispherical pit created by the impact of a meteorite or other object.
(geology) The basinlike opening or mouth of a volcano, through which the chief eruption comes; similarly, the mouth of a geyser, about which a cone of silica is often built up.
(informal) The pit left by the explosion of a mine or bomb.
(informal) Any large, roughly circular depression or hole.

To collapse catastrophically; implode; hollow out; to become devastated or completely destroyed.The economy is about to crater. -- Attributed by David Letterman to Sen. John McCain. NYTimes blog
(snowboarding) To crash or fall.He cratered into that snow bank about five seconds after his first lesson.

Possibly a diminutive of cratur (dialect form of creature).

(plural craters)

(Ireland, informal, UK, dialect) A term of endearment, a dote, a wretched thing.1843 - I then had the two best tarriers beneath the canopy; this poor crater is their daughter," and he patted the dog's head affectionately.
William Hamilton Maxwell, Wild Sports of the West: With Legendary Tales, and Local Sketches , Publisher R. Bentley, page 77,1859 - She is a charming crater; I would venture to say that, if I was not her father.
The British Drama: A Collection of the Most Esteemed Tragedies, Comedies ...1872 Thomas Hardy "Under the Greenwood Tree""Then why not stop for fellow-craters -- going to thy own father's house too, as we be, and knowen us so well?"

This term is still commonly used in speech but rarely appears in modern writing. See also: craterin