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ma·re²

(märā)

n. pl. ma·ri·a (-rē-ə)

Any of the large dark areas on the moon or on Mars or other planets.

[Latin, sea; see mori- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

(click for a larger image)

mare2

Mare Crisium above the center of the moon, and Maria Serenitatis, Tranquillitatis, and Foecunditatis (from top to bottom) on the left, as seen from Apollo 11

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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