phreatic

[ free-at-ik ]

adjective

, Geology.

1. noting or pertaining to groundwater.
2. noting or pertaining to explosive volcanic activity involving steam derived from groundwater:

   a phreatic explosion.

phreatic

/ frɪˈætɪk /

adjective

1. geography of or relating to ground water occurring below the water table Compare vadose

Word History and Origins

Origin of phreatic¹

First recorded in 1890–95; from Greek phreat- (stem of phréar ) “artificial well” + -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of phreatic¹

C19: from Greek phrear a well