Word of the Week: 9 March 2011

[Natalie_R 10]

This weeks word-of-the-week is...

 

Petrichor

 

It is derived from petros meaning "stone" and ichor which is the liquid that runs through the veins of the Greek gods of mythology.

 

Any ideas?

[JPBon 10]

The pleasant smell that accompanies the first rain after a dry spell.

[Cali Craft and Gems 10]

Aaaahhhh - is that the "aroma" that was in the air last night in PE!?!? A tremendous thunder and lightening storm, accompanied by a fantastic stretch of solid rain!

[DestinysAngels 10]

"Smell of rain"

 

Petrichor: (The fluid that flows in the veins of the gods in Greek mythology) is the name of the scent of rain on dry earth.

 

The term was coined in 1964 by two Australian researchers, Bear and Thomas, for an article in the journal Nature.[1] In the article, the authors describe how the smell derives from an oil exuded by certain plants during dry periods, whereupon it is absorbed by clay-based soils and rocks. During rain, the oil is released into the air along with another compound, geosmin, producing the distinctive scent. In a follow-up paper, Bear and Thomas (1965) showed that the oil retards seed germination and early plant growth.[2]

Edited March 9, 2011 by DestinysAngels