Varve

//vɑɹv// noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    An annual layer of sediment or sedimentary rock.

    "A comparable method uses varves […] where spans of time can be measured through counting varves, and also by radiocarbon dating plant or animal residues within the varves."

Example

More examples

"A comparable method uses varves […] where spans of time can be measured through counting varves, and also by radiocarbon dating plant or animal residues within the varves."

Etymology

Borrowed from Swedish varv (“layer”).

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.