a typically thin band of sediment deposited annually in glacial lakes, consisting of a light layer and a dark layer deposited at different seasons
2.
either of the layers of sediment making up this band
Word origin
C20: from Swedish varv layer, from varva, from Old Norse hverfa to turn
varve in American English
(vɑrv)
noun
an annual layer of sedimentary material deposited in lakes and fiords by glacial meltwaters, consisting of two distinct bands of sediment deposited in summer and winter
Word origin
Swed varv, a layer < varva, to turn, change < ON hverfa < IE base *kwerp-, to turn > carpus