Rockslides

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The sudden and uncontrolled downward movement of rock and debris down a slope occurs through geological processes that weaken the earth's surface
2. A natural event characterized by the rapid descent of rocks and materials from elevated areas often triggered by factors such as rain or earthquakes
3. The phenomenon involving large masses of rock collapsing and sliding down hillsides which can lead to dangerous conditions for the surrounding environment

Etymology: "Rockslides" is the plural of "rockslide," so its story is that of its two parts. "Rock" comes from Old French "roque," and "slide" comes from Old English "slidan," meaning to slip or glide. Joined together, they describe a mass of rock sliding down a slope, and the compound is a plain, transparent formation in which each element keeps its ordinary meaning. The plural form simply follows the usual English pattern of adding "-s" to a countable noun, so each separate fall of rock earns its own count. Nothing about the word's construction has shifted over time, which makes it one of the more straightforward compounds in the language.

Synonyms: landslides, avalanches, debris flows, slips, collapses