1. A large mass or body of snow and ice sliding swiftly down a mountain side, or falling down a precipice.
2. A fall of earth, rocks, etc., similar to that of an avalanche of snow or ice.
3. A sudden, great, or irresistible descent or influx of anything.
AVALE
A*vale", v. t. & i. Etym: [F. avaler to descend, to let down. See
Avalanche.]
1. To cause to descend; to lower; to let fall; to doff. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. To bring low; to abase. [Obs.] Sir H. Wotton.
3. (v. i.)
Defn: To descend; to fall; to dismount. [Obs.]
And from their sweaty courses did avale. Spenser.
AVANT
A*vant", n. Etym: [For avant-guard. Cf. Avaunt, Van.]
Defn: The front of an army. [Obs.] See Van.