Pele's hair

American  

[pey-leyz, pee-leez] / ˈpeɪ leɪz, ˈpi liz /

noun

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

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Pele's hair British  

/ ˈpeɪleɪz, ˈpiːliːz /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of Pele's hair

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

Example Sentences

Lava flowing from the volcano was confined to the summit area, but officials warned that winds could carry volcanic gas, fine ash and thin glass fibers known as Pele’s hair downwind.

From New York Times • Nov. 28, 2022

In places it was quite transparent, and we could see beneath it the long streaks of a stringy kind of lava, like brown spun glass, called "Pele's hair."

From Short Stories and Selections for Use in the Secondary Schools by Baker, Emilie Kip

He is going to give me some Pele's hair.

From How to Do It by Hale, Edward Everett

Science tells us that Pele’s hair is a molten glass; threads of pumice: a stony froth.

From Myths & Legends of our New Possessions & Protectorate by Skinner, Charles M. (Charles Montgomery)