AVALANCHE (adopted from a

See also:

• FRENCH
• FRENCH, DANIEL CHESTER (1850– )
• FRENCH, NICHOLAS (1604-1678)

French

See also:

• DIALECTIC, or DIALECTICS

dialectic

See also:

• FORM (Lat. forma)

form, avalance, descent)  , a mass of snow and ice mingled with earth and stones, which rushes down a mountain side, carrying everything before it, and producing a strong wind which uproots trees on each side of its course . Where the supply of snow exceeds the loss by evaporation the surplus descends the mountain sides, slowly in the form of glaciers, or suddenly in ice-falls or in avalanches . A mass of snow may accumulate upon a steep slope and become compacted into ice by pressure, or remain loosely aggregated . When the foundation gives way, owing to the loosening effect of spring rains or from any other cause, the whole mass slides downward . A very small cause will sometimes set a mass of overloaded snow in motion . Thunder or even a loud shout is said to produce this effect when the mass is just poised, and Swiss guides often enjoin absolute silence when crossing dangerous spots .