Definition of: avalanche

(av′ə·lanch, -länch) noun
1. The fall of a mass of snow or ice down a mountain slope.
2. The mass so falling.
3. Something like an avalanche, as in power, destructiveness, etc.
—v.i. To fall or slide like an avalanche.
—v.t. To fall or come down upon like an avalanche. [ <F <dial. F (Swiss) lavenche (of uncertain origin); infl. by OF avaler descend <a val to the valley <L ad vallem]