sérac

or se·rac

[ si-rak; French sey-rak ]

noun

, plural sé·racs [si-, raks, sey-, rak].

1. a large irregularity of glacial ice, as a pinnacle found in glacial crevasses and formed by melting or movement of the ice.

sérac

/ ˈsɛræk /

noun

1. a pinnacle of ice among crevasses on a glacier, usually on a steep slope

Word History and Origins

Origin of sérac¹

1855–60; < French sérac kind of white cheese (compare Medieval Latin serācium ), ultimately < Latin serum whey

Word History and Origins

Origin of sérac¹

C19: from Swiss French: a variety of white cheese (hence the ice that it resembles) from Medieval Latin serācium, from Latin serum whey

Example Sentences

This year's victims succumbed to the perennial risks of climbing Everest - three Sherpas died in a serac or ice fall, and the others fell ill like Mr Kennison.

From BBC

The tally of 11 includes three sherpas who died in April in a serac fall on the lower reaches of the mountain, while others dying of illness, weakness and various causes, they added.

From Reuters

Last week, three Nepali sherpa climbers died after being hit by an ice serac on the lower parts of Mount Everest.

From Reuters

Like other experts, he said it would have been impossible to predict when or if a serac - a pinnacle from a glacier’s overhang - could break off, as it did on Sunday.

From Washington Times

Like other experts, he said it would have been impossible to predict when or if a serac — a pinnacle from a glacier’s overhang — could break off, as it did on Sunday.

From Seattle Times