Pele's hair

[ pey-leyz, pee-leez ]

noun

1. volcanic glass thread, usually basaltic, caused by the solidification of exploding or ejected lava in the open air.

Pele's hair

/ ˈpeɪleɪz; ˈpiːliːz /

noun

1. fine threads of volcanic glass formed from molten lava by the action of wind, explosion, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pele's hair¹

1840–50; translation of Hawaiian lauoho-o-Pele hair of Pele (goddess of the volcano Kilauea)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pele's hair¹

C20: translation of Hawaiian lauoho-o Pele, from Pele, name of the goddess of volcanoes