alvar

1 of 2

noun (1)

al·​var

ˈȯlˌvär

plural -s

: the plant community consisting typically of mosses and calciphilous herbaceous plants that grows on steppelike shallow alkaline soils overlying Scandinavian limestones

Alvar

2 of 2

noun (2)

Al·​var

ˈalˌvär,

ˈäl-

plural -s

: one of a group of southern Indian Vaishnava saints and devotional writers of the 7th to 9th centuries a.d.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Swedish ålvar

Noun (2)

Tamil Ār̤vār, from ār̤- to sink, be immersed in meditation

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1917, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1865, in the meaning defined above

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!