craton

noun cra·ton \ˈkrā-ˌtän, ˈkra-\

Definition of CRATON

: a stable relatively immobile area of the earth's crust that forms the nuclear mass of a continent or the central basin of an ocean

— cra·ton·ic \krə-ˈtä-nik, krā-, kra-\ adjective

German Kraton, modification of Greek kratos strength — more at hard

First Known Use: 1944

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