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 material
2 : something of explosively violent potential

[volcano illustration]