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volcano

volcano


vol·ca·no    Audio Help   (vŏl-kā'nō)   

n.   pl. vol·ca·noes or vol·ca·nos

    1. An opening in the earth's crust through which molten lava, ash, and gases are ejected.

    2. A similar opening on the surface of another planet.

  2. A mountain formed by the materials ejected from a volcano.


[Italian, from Spanish volcán or Portuguese volcão, both probably from Latin volcānus, vulcānus, fire, flames, from Volcānus, Vulcan.]
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