Dictionary-Definition.com :: Gale definition

Definition of 'gale'

noun

A strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale

From: GCIDE

Gale \Gale\, v. i. [AS. galan. See 1st Gale.] To sing. [Obs.] "Can he cry and gale." --Court of Love. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Gale \Gale\, n. [AS. gagel, akin to D. gagel.] (Bot.) A plant of the genus Myrica, growing in wet places, and strongly resembling the bayberry. The sweet gale ({Myrica Gale}) is found both in Europe and in America. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Gale \Gale\, n. [Cf. Gabel.] The payment of a rent or annuity. [Eng.] --Mozley & W. [1913 Webster]
Gale day, the day on which rent or interest is due. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

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. [1913 Webster]
Note: Gales have a velocity of from about eighteen ("moderate") to about eighty ("very heavy") miles an our. --Sir. W. S. Harris. [1913 Webster]
2. A moderate current of air; a breeze. [1913 Webster]
A little gale will soon disperse that cloud. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
And winds of gentlest gale Arabian odors fanned From their soft wings. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
3. A state of excitement, passion, or hilarity. [1913 Webster]
The ladies, laughing heartily, were fast getting into what, in New England, is sometimes called a gale. --Brooke (Eastford). [1913 Webster]
Topgallant gale (Naut.), one in which a ship may carry her topgallant sails. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

From: GCIDE

Gale \Gale\, n. [OE. gal. See Gale wind.] A song or story. [Obs.] --Toone. [1913 Webster]