geyser
UK[ˈɡaɪzə]US[ˈɡaɪzər]
n
A natural spring that intermittently ejects a column of hot water and steam into the air.
n
A gas-fired water heater that provides hot water on demand.
Etymology
The word 'geyser' is a direct borrowing from Icelandic, taken from the name of the famous 'Geysir' in the Haukadalur valley. This proper name originates from the Old Norse verb 'geysa', which means 'to gush' or 'to erupt furiously'. The term entered the English lexicon in the late 18th century as travelers and scientists described these spectacular natural phenomena. Thus, the modern English meaning retains the core sense of its Old Norse source: a violent, rushing forth of water.
Analysis
The word is a simplex loanword. It originates from the Icelandic proper noun 'Geysir', the name of a particular hot spring in Iceland. The Icelandic name itself derives from the Old Norse verb 'geysa', meaning 'to gush' or 'to rush forth'.
Examples
We visited Yellowstone National Park to see the Old Faithful geyser erupt.
The plumber came to fix the faulty geyser in the basement.
Volcanic activity beneath the surface provides the heat that powers the geyser.