retarc

R1E1T1A1R1C3
/ˈɹiːtɑː(ɹ)k/

noun

A rubble mound occasionally formed by a powerful underground explosion (usually nuclear) in solid rock, due to the chimney of shattered rock above the explosion occupying a greater volume than the solid rock previously present.

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Meanings

nounretarc (plural retarcs)

plural retarcs

  1. nuclear testinggeographyA rubble mound occasionally formed by a powerful underground explosion (usually nuclear) in solid rock, due to the chimney of shattered rock above the explosion occupying a greater volume than the solid rock previously present.

Origin

From crater reversed, signifying the formation of an elevated mound rather than the typical sunken crater.

Full word history & related roots →

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

cartercratertracerrecartarrect
Cite this entry
APA

retarc. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/retarc

MLA

“retarc.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/retarc. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “retarc,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/retarc.

Source: retarc on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.