Vulcanian

The story

1. Middle French · derived fromvulcanien
2. Italian · derived fromVulcaniano
3. Latin · derived fromVulcānius
4. Latin · derived fromVulcāniānus
5. English todayVulcanian

Directly from Latin Vulcāniānus or from Latin Vulcānius + -an within English, from Vulcānus + -iānus (“-ian”) or -ius (“-y: forming adjectives”). In reference to a type or stage of volcanic activity, via Italian Vulcaniano, with specific reference to Giuseppe Mercalli's observations of the 1888–90 eruptions of the Aeolian island Vulcano. Equivalent to Vulcan + -ian. Doublet of volcanian. Compare slightly earlier Middle French vulcanien.