Meaning
A large mass or body of snow and ice sliding swiftly down a mountain side, or falling down a precipice.
Etymology
Origin: Latin
From French avalanche, from Franco-Provençal (Savoy) avalançhe, blend of aval (“downhill”) and standard lavençhe, from Vulgar Latin *labanka (compare Occitan lavanca, Italian valanga), of uncertain origin, perhaps an alteration of Late Latin lābīna (“landslide”) (compare Franco-Provençal (Dauphiné) lavino, Romansh lavina), from Latin lābēs, from lābor (“to slip, slide”).
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles, including a pangram: