squall

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a sudden, brief increase in wind speed, often accompanied by rain or snow

   A violent squall struck the harbor without warning.

2. 2
   verb

   to cry or scream loudly and harshly

   The frightened child began to squall when the lights went out.

3. 3
   verb

   of wind or weather, to blow in sudden violent bursts

   It began to squall just as the sailors shortened the canvas.

Common collocations

• squall line Noun + noun

The crying verb comes through Middle English from Old Norse skvala, 'to cry out,' and is partly imitative. The weather sense is probably related to Scandinavian words for a sudden rush of water or wind, reinforced by the same idea of a sharp outburst.

Topics

External links

• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary
• Google Images