la|va

la|va «LAH vuh, LAV uh», noun.

1. the hot, melted, or molten rock flowing from a volcano or fissure in the earth: »

Magma is called lava when it reaches the earth's surface (Science News Letter).

2. the rock formed by the cooling of this molten rock. Some lavas are hard and glassy; others are light and porous.

╂[< Italian lava lava flow < lavare to wash < Latin lavāre]