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

Time Traveler
The first known use of alvar was in 1865

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Dictionary Entries Near alvar

Alvar

alvar

Alvarado, de

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Cite this Entry

“Alvar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alvar. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

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