1. crater(n = noun.object) volcanic crater - a bowl-shaped geological formation at the top of a volcano;
is a kind of formation, geological formation
is a part of volcano
has particulars: caldera, maar
2. crater(n = noun.object) - a faint constellation in the southern hemisphere near Hydra and Corvus;
is a kind of constellation
3. crater(n = noun.object) - a bowl-shaped depression formed by the impact of a meteorite or bomb;
is a kind of depression, natural depression
has particulars: collector, lunar crater
1. The basinlike opening or mouth of a volcano, through which the chief eruption comes; similarly, the mouth of a geyser, about which a cone of silica is often built up. [1913 Webster]
2. The pit left by the explosion of a bomb, shell, or mine. [1913 Webster]
3. A constellation of the southen hemisphere; -- called also the
crater, n. & v.
--n.
1 the mouth of a volcano.
2 a bowl-shaped cavity, esp. that made by the explosion of a shell or bomb.
3 Astron. a hollow with a raised rim on the surface of a planet or moon, caused by the impact of a meteorite.
4 Antiq. a large ancient Greek bowl, used for mixing wine.
--v.tr. form a crater in.
Derivative:
craterous adj.
Etymology:
L f. Gk krater mixing-bowl: see CRASIS
N depth, deepness, profundity, depression, hollow, pit, shaft, well, crater, gulf, bowels of the earth, botttomless pit, hell, soundings, depth of water, water, draught, submersion, plummet, sound, probe, sounding rod, sounding line, lead, bathymetry, sonar, side-looking sonar, bathometer, deep, deep seated, profound, sunk, buried, submerged, subaqueous, submarine, subterranean, subterraneous, subterrene, underground, bottomless, soundless, fathomless, unfathomed, unfathomable, abysmal, deep as a well, bathycolpian, benthal, benthopelagic, downreaching, yawning, knee deep, ankle deep, beyond one's depth, out of one's depth, over head and ears, mark twine, mark twain.
N concavity, depression, dip, hollow, hollowness, indentation, intaglio, cavity, dent, dint, dimple, follicle, pit, sinus, alveolus, lacuna, excavation, strip mine, trough, honeycomb, cup, basin, crater, punch bowl, cell, socket, valley, vale, dale, dell, dingle, combe, bottom, slade, strath, glade, grove, glen, cave, cavern, cove, grot, grotto, alcove, cul-de- sac, gully, arch, bay, excavator, sapper, miner, honeycomb (sponge), depressed, alveolate, calathiform, cup-shaped, dishing, favaginous, faveolate, favose, scyphiform, scyphose, concave, hollow, stove in, retiring, retreating, cavernous, porous, infundibul, infundibular, infundibuliform, funnel shaped, bell shaped, campaniform, capsular, vaulted, arched.