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tempestsmore about tempests

tempests

 

  1  definition  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Gale  \Gale\  (g[=a]l),  n.  [Prob.  of  Scand.  origin;  cf  Dan.  gal 
  furious,  Icel.  galinn,  cf  Icel.  gala  to  sing,  AS  galan  to 
  sing,  Icel.  galdr  song,  witchcraft,  AS  galdor  charm, 
  sorcery,  E.  nightingale;  also  Icel.  gj[=o]la  gust  of  wind, 
  gola  breeze.  Cf  {Yell}.] 
  1.  A  strong  current  of  air;  a  wind  between  a  stiff  breeze  and 
  a  hurricane.  The  most  violent  gales  are  called  {tempests}. 
 
  Note:  Gales  have  a  velocity  of  from  about  eighteen 
  (``moderate'')  to  about  eighty  (``very  heavy'')  miles 
  an  our  --Sir.  W.  S.  Harris. 
 
  2.  A  moderate  current  of  air;  a  breeze. 
 
  A  little  gale  will  soon  disperse  that  cloud.  --Shak. 
 
  And  winds  of  gentlest  gale  Arabian  odors  fanned  From 
  their  soft  wings.  --Milton. 
 
  3.  A  state  of  excitement,  passion,  or  hilarity. 
 
  The  ladies,  laughing  heartily,  were  fast  getting 
  into  what  in  New  England,  is  sometimes  called  a 
  gale.  --Brooke 
  (Eastford). 
 
  {Topgallant  gale}  (Naut.),  one  in  which  a  ship  may  carry  her 
  topgallant  sails.




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