Crater
/ˈkreɪ.tər/noun
A bowl-shaped hollow, especially one formed by volcanic activity or an impact.
Did you know?Crater comes from Greek krater, the large bowl used to mix wine and water, and the same root also gave English words tied to power and control through the idea of “mixing” or “filling.”
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
kratēr
“A large bowl or mixing vessel for wine and water”
Latin
Latin
cratēr
“A large mixing bowl; later, a bowl-shaped hollow”
Middle French
Old French
cratere
“A bowl or basin; also a volcanic hollow”
14th Century
English
crater
“A bowl-shaped cavity or basin”
Modern English
English
crater
“A bowl-shaped hollow, especially on a planet, moon, or volcano”