English
Etymology
From Icelandic Geysir, a proper name meaning "gusher" designating a famous geyser in the south of Iceland. In use in English since the 19th century.
Pronunciation
italbrac|RP IPA|/�gaɪz�/, /�gi�z�/ (see Talk:geyser|talk page)
italbrac|US IPA|/�ɡaɪz�/
rhymes|aɪz�(r) or rhymes|i�z�(r)
Homophones
guiser
geezer
Noun
en-noun
- A boiling spring which throws forth at frequent intervals jets of water, mud, etc., driven up by the expansive power of steam.
- context|British|archaic An instantaneous, and often dangerous, hot water heater.
#*1902: William Paton Buchan, Plumbing: A Text-book to the Practice of the Art Or Craft of the Plumber - Where a Geyser or hot-water heater is used it is a good and wise precaution to see that the bath-room, &c., when it is used is well ventilated.
#*1998: Gordon S Riess, Confessions of a Corporate Centurion: Tales of International Adventures - Water was heated either on the gas stove, or on a wall mounted gas-fired "geyser" heater.
#*2002: Alaine Polcz, One woman in the war: Hungary, 1944-1945 - It was here I saw a geyser gas water heater in a bathroom for the first time. (I was afraid of it).
Translations
Finnish: geysiri
German: Geysir m
Icelandic: goshver m
mid
Spanish: géiser m
Category:Old Norse derivations
Category:Icelandic derivations
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hu:geyser
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