avalanche
1av·a·lanche
noun \ˈa-və-ˌlanch\Definition of AVALANCHE
1
: a large mass of snow, ice, earth, rock, or other material in swift motion down a mountainside or over a precipice
2
: a sudden great or overwhelming rush or accumulation of something <hit by an avalanche of paperwork>
3
: a cumulative process in which photons or accelerated charge carriers produce additional photons or charge carriers through collisions (as with gas molecules)
Examples of AVALANCHE
- He was buried by an avalanche.
Origin of AVALANCHE
French, from French dialect (Franco-Provençal) lavantse, avalantse
First Known Use: 1771
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