a. [In sense 1 ad. F. vulcanique, It. (also Pg.) vulcanico, f. It. vulcano VOLCANO. In sense 2 f. L. Vulcān-us VULCAN sb.]
1. VOLCANIC a. 2 b.
1774. Phil. Trans., LXV. 24. The vulcanic districts of Auvergne and Velay … afford proofs enough of the truth of this opinion. Ibid., 27. I have already observed, that there are many vulcanic mountains of a totally different form from the common volcanos.
1888. Doughty, Arabia Deserta, I. 20. Of such vulcanic breaches there are many in these limestone downs. Ibid., 21. The Belka chalk is changed by the vulcanic heat.
2. Of or belonging to, having the character of, Vulcan. (With initial capital.)
1807. Europ. Mag., LII. 469/2.
| What tho’ with Vulcanic knocking | |
| Thou still may bring forth many a thought; | |
| Tho’ ideas in myriads flocking, | |
| Insect-like before thee float. |
1866. R. S. Hawker, in C. E. Byles, Life & Lett., xxiii. (1905), 547. The great majority of Vassals of his own which exists in this Vulcanic [i.e., manufacturing] nation.
b. Of or pertaining to fire; fiery.
1866. Lowell, Carlyle, Prose Wks. 1890, II. 83. Even the burning of a meeting-house, in itself a vulcanic rarity, could not … tickle his outworn palate.
1867. J. B. Rose, trans. Virgil’s Æneid, 224. Vulcan begot him—in vulcanic lair He breathed forth flame.
