eolian

adjective

eo·​lian ē-ˈō-lē-ən How to pronounce eolian (audio)
-ˈōl-yən
variants or less commonly aeolian
: borne, deposited, produced, or eroded by the wind

Did you know?

When Aeolus blew into town, things really got moving. He was the Greek god of the winds and the king of the floating island of Aeolia. In The Odyssey, Homer claims Aeolus helped Odysseus by giving him a favorable wind. Aeolus also gave English speakers a few terms based on his name, including the adjective eolian (also spelled aeolian), which is often used for wind-sculpted geological features such as caves and dunes, and aeolian harp, the name for an instrument that makes music when the wind blows across its strings.

Word History

Etymology

Latin Aeolus, Aeolus

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eolian was in 1622

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Dictionary Entries Near eolian

Cite this Entry

“Eolian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eolian. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

eolian

adjective
eo·​lian
variants also aeolian
ē-ˈō-lē-ən,
-ˈōl-yən
: carried, deposited, produced, or eroded by the wind
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