diapir

[ dahy-uh-peer ]
/ ˈdaɪ əˌpɪər /

noun Geology.

a dome, or anticline, the upper regions of which have been ruptured and penetrated by material squeezed up from below. Compare plume(def 10), salt dome.

Origin of diapir

1915–20; < French, said to be < Greek diapeírein to drive through, pierce; dia- dia- + peírein to pierce

OTHER WORDS FROM diapir

di·a·pir·ic [dahy-uh-pir-ik] /ˌdaɪ əˈpɪr ɪk/, adjective

Words nearby diapir

diaphysectomy, diaphysial aclasis, diaphysial dysplasia, diaphysis, diaphysitis, diapir, diapophysis, diapositive, diapsid, diarbekr, diarch

British Dictionary definitions for diapir

diapir
/ (ˈdaɪəˌpɪə) /

noun

geology an anticlinal fold in which the brittle overlying rock has been pierced by material, such as salt, from beneath

Word Origin for diapir

C20: from Greek diapeirainein to make holes through, pierce

Scientific definitions for diapir

diapir
[ dī′ə-pîr′ ]

A fold or dome, such as an anticline, in which the upper strata of sediment or rock have been ruptured by the upward movement of more plastic rock, such as a body of salt, gypsum, or lava.