In geology and climatology, a pluvial (Latin pluvilis, from pluvia, `rain`) was an extended period of abundant rainfall lasting many thousands of years. Pluvial is also applied to the sediments of these periods (e.g. Lake Bonneville, Lake Lahontan, Lake Manly). The term is especially applied to such periods during the Pleistocene Epoch. A minor,..... Found on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluvial
Plu'vi·al adjective [ Latin pluvialis , from pluvia rain: confer French pluvial . See Plover .] 1. Of or pertaining to rain; rainy. [ R.] 2. (Geol.) Produced by the action of rain. Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/webster/P/112
Plu'vi·al noun [ Late Latin pluviale a garment which keeps off the rain: confer French pluvial .] A priest's cope. Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/webster/P/112