phreatic

[ free-at-ik ]
/ friˈæt ɪk /

adjective Geology.

noting or pertaining to ground water.
noting or pertaining to explosive volcanic activity involving steam derived from ground water: a phreatic explosion.

Origin of phreatic

1890–95; < Greek phreat- (stem of phréar) artificial well + -ic

Words nearby phreatic

phraseology, phrasing, phratry, phreak, phreaking, phreatic, phreatic zone, phreatophyte, phren-, phren., phrenalgia

British Dictionary definitions for phreatic

phreatic
/ (frɪˈætɪk) /

adjective

geography of or relating to ground water occurring below the water table Compare vadose

Word Origin for phreatic

C19: from Greek phrear a well