tephra

[ tef-ruh ]

/ ˈtɛf rə /

Save This Word!

noun (used with a plural verb)

clastic volcanic material, as scoria, dust, etc., ejected during an eruption.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of tephra

First recorded in 1960–65, tephra is from the Greek word téphra (singular) ashes

Words nearby tephra

tepe, tepee, tepefy, Tepe Gawra, Tepexpán man, tephra, tephrite, tephrochronology, tephroite, Tepic, tepid

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for tephra

tephra

/ (ˈtɛfrə) /

noun

mainly US solid matter ejected during a volcanic eruption

Word Origin for tephra

C20: Greek, literally: ashes

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

Scientific definitions for tephra

tephra

[ tĕf′rə ]

Solid matter, such as ash, dust, and cinders, that is ejected into the air by an erupting volcano. Tephra is a general term for all pyroclastic materials ejected from a volcano.