gale

views updated Jun 11 2018

gale / gāl/ • n. a very strong wind: it was almost blowing a gale| [as adj.] gale-force winds. ∎  Meteorol. a wind of force 7 to 10 on the Beaufort scale (28-55 knots or 32-63 mph). ∎  a storm at sea. ∎  (a gale of/gales of) fig. a burst of sound, esp. of laughter: she collapsed into gales of laughter.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

Gale

views updated Jun 27 2018

Gale

a wind of considerable strength, 1527; a state of current or passing emotions; the perfume or aroma of similar intangible things.

Examples: gale of animal spirits, 1663; of doubts and apprehensions, 1800; of fancy, 1675; of fragrance, 1820; of laughter; of merriment, 1894; of opportunity, 1669; of perfume, 1711; of praise, 1827; of wind, 1547.

Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms

gale

views updated May 14 2018

gale1 bog myrtle. OE. gagel(le) = MDu. gaghel, Du., G. gagel.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

gale

views updated May 14 2018

gale A wind blowing at more than 30 knots (17 m/s).

A Dictionary of Ecology MICHAEL ALLABY

gale

views updated May 08 2018

gale Wind blowing at more than 30 knots (17 m/s).

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY

gale

views updated May 23 2018

gale2 strong wind. XVI. of unkn. orig.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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