squall

squall
squall1
—squallish, adj.
/skwawl/, n.
1. a sudden, violent gust of wind, often accompanied by rain, snow, or sleet.
2. a sudden disturbance or commotion.
v.i.
3. to blow as a squall.
[1690-1700; perh. special use of SQUALL2]
squall2
—squaller, n.
/skwawl/, v.i.
1. to cry or scream loudly and violently: The hungry baby began to squall.
v.t.
2. to utter in a screaming tone.
n.
3. the act or sound of squalling: The baby's squall was heard next door.
[1625-35; perh. < ON skvala shriek, cry; cf. Sw, Norw skvala splash, stream]

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      as used by weather forecasters, a sudden wind-speed increase of 8 metres per second (18 miles per hour) or more, for one minute or longer. It includes several briefer wind-speed changes, or gusts. A squall is often named for the weather phenomenon that accompanies it, such as rain, hail, or thunder; a line squall is one associated with a squall line of thunderstorms that is often hundreds of kilometres long.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Synonyms:
(as an infant), , , , / , , , , / (sudden and brief), , , , ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • Squall — (skw[add]l), n. [Cf. Sw. sqval an impetuous running of water, sqvalregn a violent shower of rain, sqvala to stream, to gush.] A sudden and violent gust of wind often attended with rain or snow. [1913 Webster] The gray skirts of a lifting squall.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • squall´er — squall 1 «skwl», noun, verb. –n. 1. a sudden, violent gust of wind, often with rain, snow, or hail. Squalls may be accompanied by thunder and lightning. SYNONYM(S): blast. 2. Informal, Figurative. a disturbance or commotion; trouble: »The squall… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Squall — Squall, n. A loud scream; a harsh cry. [1913 Webster] There oft are heard the notes of infant woe, The short, thick sob, loud scream, and shriller squall. Pope. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • squall|y — «SKW lee», adjective, squall|i|er, squall|i|est. 1. having many sudden and violent gusts of wind: »squally weather. 2. blowing in squalls; gu …   Useful english dictionary

  • Squall — Squall, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Squalled} (skw[add]ld); p. pr. & vb. n. {Squalling}.] [Icel. skvala. Cf. {Squeal}.] To cry out; to scream or cry violently, as a woman frightened, or a child in anger or distress; as, the infant squalled. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • squall — squall; squall·er; …   English syllables

  • squall — squall1 [skwôl] n. [< Scand, as in Swed sqval, a sudden shower, downpour: for prob. base see SQUALL2] 1. a brief, violent windstorm, usually with rain or snow 2. Informal trouble or disturbance vi. to storm briefly; blow a squall squally adj.… …   English World dictionary

  • squall — index fracas Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • squall — ► NOUN 1) a sudden violent gust of wind or localized storm. 2) a loud cry. ► VERB ▪ (of a baby or small child) cry noisily and continuously. DERIVATIVES squally adjective. ORIGIN probably an alteration of SQUEAL …   English terms dictionary

  • Squall — A squall is a sudden, sharp increase in wind speed which is usually associated with active weather, such as rain showers, thunderstorms, or heavy snow. [The Weather Channel. [http://www.weather.com/glossary/s.html Weather Glossary: S.] Retrieved… …   Wikipedia

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