Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Avalanche
Av′a-lancheˊ
(?; 277)
, Noun.
[F.
avalanche
, fr. avaler
to descend, to let down, from aval
down, downward; [GREEK] (L. ad
) + val
, L. vallis
, valley. See Valley
.] 1.
A large mass or body of snow and ice sliding swiftly down a mountain side, or falling down a precipice.
2.
A fall of earth, rocks, etc., similar to that of an avalanche of snow or ice.
3.
A sudden, great, or irresistible descent or influx of anything.