crater
crater Lexical Profile
crater Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A large, bowl-shaped cavity or depression in the ground or on the surface of a planet or moon, typically formed by a volcanic eruption or the impact of a meteorite.
"Astronomers used a high-powered telescope to examine the shadowy rim of the lunar crater."
In ancient Greece and Rome, a large two-handled bowl or vessel used for mixing wine with water before serving.
"The archaeological museum displayed a finely painted ceramic crater from fifth-century Athens."
• verb
To drop, collapse, or fail suddenly and catastrophically (especially of prices, sales, or ratings).
"The company's stock price cratered immediately after the disappointing quarterly earnings report was released."
To form one or more bowl-shaped cavities or depressions in a surface.
"Centuries of meteor strikes have cratered the barren surface of the asteroid."
• Rhymes for crater
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 17th century from Latin crater ('large bowl for mixing wine, basin, mouth of a volcano'), from Ancient Greek krater ('mixing bowl'), derived from the verb kerannymi ('to mix').