[plu.vi.al] adj [L pluvialis, fr. pluvia rain, fr. fem. of pluvius rainy, fr. pluere to rain--more at flow] (ca. 1656) 1 a: of or relating to rain b: characterized by abundant rain
2. of a geologic change: resulting from the action of rain
[2]pluvial n (1929): a prolonged period of wet climate