crater

³crater

Definition of CRATER

variant of krater

Other Archaeology Terms

Attic, Byzantine, Paleolithic, cairn, core, flint, horizon, neolithic, shard, stratum

¹cra·ter

noun \ˈkrā-tər\

Definition of CRATER

1

a : the bowl-shaped depression around the orifice of a volcano

b : a depression formed by an impact (as of a meteorite)

c : a hole in the ground made by the explosion of a bomb or shell

2

: an eroded lesion

3

: a dimple in a painted surface

— cra·ter·like \ˈkrā-tər-ˌlīk\ adjective

Examples of CRATER

1. Scientists believe the enormous crater was created by the impact of a meteorite thousands of years ago.
2. We flew over the crater of the volcano in a helicopter.

Origin of CRATER

Latin, mixing bowl, crater, from Greek kratēr, from kerannynai to mix; akin to Sanskrit śrīṇāti he mixes

First Known Use: 1613

Other Geology Terms

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

Rhymes with CRATER

baiter, cater, dater, faitour, gaiter, gator, grater, hater, krater, later, mater, plaiter, plater, prater, rater, satyr, skater, slater, stater, stator, tater, traitor, waiter

²crater

verb

Definition of CRATER

intransitive verb

1

: to exhibit or form craters

2

: to fail or fall suddenly and dramatically : collapse, crash <the deal cratered> <cratering stock prices>

transitive verb

: to form craters in

Examples of CRATER

1. The deal cratered when neither party could agree on the final price.
2. Stock prices cratered after the companies' merger.

First Known Use of CRATER

1884

Related to CRATER

Synonyms

bomb, collapse, fail, flame out, flop, flunk, fold, founder, miss, strike out, tank, wash out

Antonyms

click, come off, deliver, go, go over, pan out, succeed, work out

Related Words

flounder, struggle; decline, sink, skid, slip, slump, wane; crash, crumble, miscarry, misfire; go under; implode, self-destruct

Near Antonyms

cook, flourish, prosper, thrive; prevail, triumph, win

Rhymes with CRATER

baiter, grater, hater, later, plaiter, prater

cra·ter

noun \ˈkrāt-ər\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of CRATER

: an eroded lesion of a wall or surface <ulcer craters>

crater

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Circular depression in the surface of a planetary body. Most craters are the result of impacts of meteorites or of volcanic explosions. Meteorite craters are more common on the Moon and Mars and on other planets and natural satellites than on Earth, because most meteorites either burn up in the Earth's atmosphere before reaching its surface or erosion soon obscures the impact site. Craters made by exploding volcanoes (e.g., Crater Lake, Ore.) are more common on the Earth than on the Moon, Mars, or Jupiter's moon Io, where they have also been identified.