aa

PRONUNCIATION:
(AH-ah)


MEANING:
noun: Lava having a rough surface.


ETYMOLOGY:
From Hawaiian aa (to burn). Earliest documented use: 1859.


NOTES:
Aa is one of the two kinds of lava typically found in Hawaiian volcanoes. The other kind is pahoehoe, one with a smooth, ropy surface.

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Xa:

1. a clotting factor, after which was named the anti-coagulant Xarelto, of TV advertising notoriety fame. That's pronounced "Ten-a," 'cuz it's a Roman number

2. half of a Latin American dance (if you make it Greek ("Cha") instead of Latin as above)