Gale
Definitions
- A very strong wind, more than a breeze, less than a storm; number 7 through to 9 winds on the 12-step Beaufort scale.
- A shrub, also called sweet gale or bog myrtle (Myrica gale), that grows on moors and fens.
- A periodic payment, such as is made of a rent or annuity.
- A surname.
- An outburst, especially of laughter.
- The personal mining plot of a freeminer.
- A unisex given name.
- A light breeze.
- A number of places in the United States:
- An unincorporated community in Alexander County, Illinois.
- An unincorporated community in Center Township, Hendricks County, Indiana.
- An unincorporated community in Upshur County, West Virginia.
- A town in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin.
Equivalents
Examples
“It's blowing a gale outside.”
“Many parts of the boat were damaged in the gale.”
“With my mother's permission and blessings, I set⟳ off exultantly for Bombay, leaving my wife with a baby of a few months. But on arrival there, friends told my brother that the Indian Ocean was rough in June and July, and as this was my first voyage, I should not be allowed to sail⟳ until November. Someone also reported that a steamer had just been sunk in a gale. This made my brother uneasy, and he refused to take⟳ the risk⟳ of allowing me to sail⟳ immediately.”
“It's blowing a gale and this holiday destination loses all its appeal in an instant in weather like⟳ this.”
“a gale of laughter”
“The slightest hint of smugness would have⟳ had the nation leaning over our shoulders to blow⟳ out the birthday candles with a gale of reproach and disapproval.”
“A little gale will soon disperse that cloud.”
“And winds of gentlest gale Arabian odours fanned / From their soft wings.”
“Gale day - the day on which rent⟳ or interest⟳ is due.”
“As a rule⟳ the free miners do not work⟳ their own⟳ 'gales,' but dispose of them to capitalists.”
CEFR level
C1
Advanced
This word is part of the CEFR C1 vocabulary — advanced level.
This word is part of the CEFR C1 vocabulary — advanced level.
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