afterquake

noun

af·​ter·​quake ˈaf-tər-ˌkwāk How to pronounce afterquake (audio)
plural afterquakes
: a minor shock following the main shock of an earthquake : aftershock
Within one year there were more than 10,000 afterquakes, with most of the epicenters in the vicinity of Sun-Moon Lake.Engelbert Altenburger, Focus on Geography, Winter 2004

Word History

Etymology

after- + (earth)quake

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of afterquake was in 1906

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Cite this Entry

“Afterquake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afterquake. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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