varve

noun

ˈvärv 

: a pair of layers of alternately finer and coarser silt or clay believed to comprise an annual cycle of deposition in a body of still water

varved

ˈvärvd 

adjective

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Swedish varv "turn, round, layer," going back to Germanic *hwarban-, hwarb- "turn, circle," whence Old Norse hvarf "circle, ring, enclosed space," Old English hwearf "turn, exchange, crowd, embankment" — more at wharf

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

varve

noun

ˈvärv 

: a pair of layers of alternately finer and coarser silt or clay believed to be deposited annually in a body of still water