lava

Definition

The molten rock ejected by a volcano from its crater or fissured sides; magma that has breached the surface of the earth.

Etymology

From Italian, from Neapolitan and Sicilian lava (“lava”, but also “downpour overflowing the streets”). Likely in the sense of “landslide, torrent” from Latin labes (“fall”), compare labina (“avalanche, landslide”). A supposed relation with lavare (“to wash”) is now widely discredited. Neither is there probably any relation with Arabic لابة (lāba, “black volcanic rock”). Alternatively the Romance words are connected with Provençal lavo, lauvo (“flat stone”), from a Vulgar Latin source borrowed from a Celtic language such as Gaulish *lawā, but ultimately of obscure origin; see Proto-Celtic *līwos for details.

Example Sentences

• "Marine iguanas line the shores of the islands, and are usually seen sprawled over lava rocks near the sea."

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