nivation

[ nahy-vey-shuhn ]

noun

, Geology.

1. erosion resulting from the action of frost beneath a snowbank.

nivation

/ naɪˈveɪʃən /

noun

1. the weathering of rock around a patch of snow by alternate freezing and thawing

Word History and Origins

Origin of nivation¹

1895–1900; < Latin niv- (stem of nix ) snow + -ation

Word History and Origins

Origin of nivation¹

C19: from Latin nix, stem niv- snow