lava

Etymology

From Italian, from Neapolitan 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”).

noun

  1. The molten rock ejected by a volcano from its crater or fissured sides.
  2. (informal, proscribed) Magma.
  3. A shade of red, named after the volcanic lava.
    lava:

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