pelee
pelee Lexical Profile
• noun
An active stratovolcano situated on the northern end of the French Caribbean island of Martinique, infamous for its catastrophic eruption in 1902.
"The sudden and devastating eruption of Mount Pelee in 1902 completely destroyed the nearby town of Saint-Pierre within minutes."
Canadian A peninsula extending into Lake Erie in Ontario, Canada, known for containing the southernmost point of the Canadian mainland and hosting a prominent national park.
"Point Pelee is a renowned international destination for birdwatchers during the spring and fall migrations."
Word Nuance & Usage
When referring to the volcano in Martinique, it is often written with an acute accent as 'Pelée'. It should not be confused with Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes, despite both sharing strong associations with volcanic activity.
• Rhymes for pelee
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the French 'pelée', meaning 'bald' or 'peeled', a name originally given to the volcano in Martinique due to its bare, ash-covered summit devoid of vegetation.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.