Main Entry:

vol·ca·no

Pronunciation:

\väl-ˈkā-(ˌ)nō, vȯl-\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural vol·ca·noes or vol·ca·nos

Etymology:

Italian or Spanish; Italian vulcano, from Spanish volcán, ultimately from Latin Volcanus Vulcan

Date:

1613

1: a vent in the crust of the earth or another planet or a moon from which usually molten or hot rock and steam issue ; also : a hill or mountain composed wholly or in part of the ejected material2: something of explosively violent potential

[volcano illustration]