Lava

Pronunciation

• US, UK enPR: läʹvÉ™, IPA: /ˈlɑːvÉ™/
• CA IPA: /ˈlɑːvÉ™/, /ˈlævÉ™/
• Rhymes: -ɑːvÉ™

Origin

From Italian lava ("lava"), originally, in Naples, a torrent of rain overflowing the streets, from lavare ("to wash"). See etymology for the English verb lave.

Full definition of lava

Noun

1. The melted rock ejected by a volcano from its crater or fissured sides.
2. (informal, proscribed) Magma., molten rock within the earth

Usage notes

Geologists make a distinction between magma (molten rock underground) and lava (molten rock on the surface).

Derived terms

• lava lamp
• lava millstone
• lava ware

Anagrams

• aval