Landslide
/ˈlænd.slaɪd/noun
A mass of earth, rock, or debris that slides down a slope.
Did you know?Unlike words such as *disaster* or *nightmare*, *landslide* is a transparent compound of two native English words, which is why its meaning feels so immediate and visual.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
land
“land, ground, territory”
Old English
OE
slīdan
“to slide, glide”
Middle English
ME
land-slide
“a slipping or falling of earth or ground”
17th Century
English
landslide
“a slide of earth or rock down a slope”
Modern English
English
landslide
“a mass movement of earth, rock, or debris down a slope”