solfatara

[ sohl-fuh-tahr-uh, sol- ]

noun

, Geology.

1. a fumarole that gives off only sulfurous gases.

solfatara

/ ˌsɒlfəˈtɑːrə /

noun

1. a volcanic vent emitting only sulphurous gases and water vapour or sometimes hot mud

Derived Forms

• ˌsolfaˈtaric, adjective

Other Words From

• solfa·taric adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of solfatara¹

1770–80; < Italian (Neapolitan) solfatara, derivative of solfo < Latin sulfur; sulfur

Word History and Origins

Origin of solfatara¹

C18: from Italian: a sulphurous volcano near Naples, from solfo sulphur

Example Sentences

On our way back we visited Solfatara, the celebrated crater plain, about 1000 feet in length by 800 in breadth, skirted by hills.

From Project Gutenberg

When the ground was struck with a stick, it gave forth a hollow rumbling sound like at Solfatara.

From Project Gutenberg

A walk up a boulder-strewn slope reaches the old crater, or Solfatara, almost surrounded by steep walls of rock.

From Project Gutenberg

The whole of the Solfatara crater has been enclosed for the purpose of manufacturing alum from its soil.

From Project Gutenberg

The vast works for the refining of sulphur in the volcanic district of Solfatara were erected under his direction.

From Project Gutenberg