fumarole

[ fyoo-muh-rohl ]

/ ˈfyu məˌroʊl /

noun

a hole in or near a volcano, from which vapor rises.

Nearby words

fumarase, fumarate, fumariaceous, fumaric, fumaric acid, fumarole, fumatorium, fumatory, fumble, fume, fume cupboard

Origin of fumarole

1805–15; < French fumerolle < Late Latin fūmāriōlum, diminutive of Latin fūmārium smoke chamber, equivalent to fūm(us) smoke + -ārium -arium; see -ole¹

Related forms

fu·ma·rol·ic

[fyoo-muh-rol-ik] /ˌfyu məˈrɒl ɪk/, adjective

Can be confused

caldera fumarole geyser volcano

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for fumarole

The temperature of the vapour within the fumarole was 184, and water boiled at 189.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 10|Various
But if the fumarole continues active, hydrochloric acid issues with the smoke, and often some time after sulphuric acid.
The Eruption of Vesuvius in 1872|Luigi Palmieri
This fumarole is only a bomb or rounded mass of enormous size, four or five metres in diameter.
The Eruption of Vesuvius in 1872|Luigi Palmieri
The temperature of the vapor just within the fumarole is 184°, water boiling beside it at 189°.
With the World's Great Travellers, Volume 2|Various

British Dictionary definitions for fumarole

fumarole

/ (ˈfjuːməˌrəʊl) /

noun

a vent in or near a volcano from which hot gases, esp steam, are emitted

Derived Forms

fumarolic (ˌfjuːməˈrɒlɪk), adjective

Word Origin for fumarole

C19: from French fumerolle, from Late Latin fūmāriolum smoke hole, from Latin fūmus smoke

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Science definitions for fumarole

fumarole

[ fyōō′mə-rōl′ ]

A vent in the surface of the Earth from which hot smoke and gases escape. Fumaroles are found on or near volcanoes, especially in areas where volcanic activity is in its later stages.