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

1. He was buried by an avalanche.

Origin of AVALANCHE

French, from French dialect (Franco-Provençal) lavantse, avalantse

First Known Use: 1771

Other Geology Terms

anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale

Rhymes with AVALANCHE

olive branch