coined in German (von Seebach, 1866), from strato- + volcano. So called for its layered structure.
Entries linking to stratovolcano
strato-
before vowels strat-, word-forming element referring to layers or layering, also stratus clouds, from combining form of Latin stratus "a spreading," from PIE root *stere- "to spread."
volcano n.
1610s, from Italian vulcano "burning mountain," from Latin Vulcanus "Vulcan," Roman god of fire, also "fire, flames, volcano" (see Vulcan). The name was first applied to Mt. Etna by the Romans, who believed it was the forge of Vulcan. Earlier form in English was volcan (1570s), from French.