Gale
Gale (gāl) , noun
[Probably of Scand. origin; compare Danish gal furious, Icelandic galinn, compare Icelandic gala to sing, Anglo-Saxon galan to sing, Icelandic galdr song, witchcraft, Anglo-Saxon galdor charm, sorcery, English nightingale; also, Icelandic gjōla gust of wind, gola breeze. Compare Yell.]
1.
A strong current of air; a wind between a stiff breeze and a hurricane. The most violent gales are called tempests.
Gales have a velocity of from about eighteen (“moderate”) to about eighty (“very heavy”) miles an our.
2.
A moderate current of air; a breeze.
A little gale will soon disperse that cloud.
And winds of gentlest gale Arabian odors fanned
From their soft wings.
3.
A state of excitement, passion, or hilarity.
The ladies, laughing heartily, were fast getting into what, in New England, is sometimes called a gale.
Collocations (1)
Topgallant gale (Nautical) , one in which a ship may carry her topgallant sails.
Gale , intransitive verb
(Nautical) To sale, or sail fast.
Gale , noun
[Old English gal. See Gale wind.]
A song or story. [Obsolete] — Toone
Gale , intransitive verb
[Anglo-Saxon galan. See 1st Gale.]
To sing. [Obsolete]
Can he cry and gale.
Gale , noun
[Anglo-Saxon gagel, akin to Dutch gagel.]
(Botany) 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.
Gale , noun
[Compare Gabel.]
The payment of a rent or annuity. [English] — Mozley & W
Collocations (1)
Gale day , the day on which rent or interest is due.