Storm
Storm , noun
[Anglo-Saxon storm; akin to Dutch storm, German sturm, Icelandic stormr; and perhaps to Greek {not transcribed} assault, onset, Sanskrit s{not transcribed} to flow, to hasten, or perhaps to Latin sternere to strew, prostrate (compare Stratum). r166.]
1.
A violent disturbance of the atmosphere, attended by wind, rain, snow, hail, or thunder and lightning; hence, often, a heavy fall of rain, snow, or hail, whether accompanied with wind or not.
We hear this fearful tempest sing,
Yet seek no shelter to avoid the storm.
2.
A violent agitation of human society; a civil, political, or domestic commotion; sedition, insurrection, or war; violent outbreak; clamor; tumult.
I will stir up in England some black storm.
Her sister
Began to scold and raise up such a storm.
3.
A heavy shower or fall, any adverse outburst of tumultuous force; violence.
A brave man struggling in the storms of fate.
4.
(Military) A violent assault on a fortified place; a furious attempt of troops to enter and take a fortified place by scaling the walls, forcing the gates, or the like.
Storms beat, and rolls the main;
O! beat those storms, and roll the seas, in vain.
What at first was called a gust, the same
Hath now a storm's, anon a tempest's name.
Storm is often used in the formation of self-explained compounds; as, storm-presaging, stormproof, storm-tossed, and the like.
Collocations (10)
Anticyclonic storm (Meteorology) , a storm characterized by a central area of high atmospheric pressure, and having a system of winds blowing spirally outward in a direction contrary to that cyclonic storms. It is attended by low temperature, dry air, infrequent precipitation, and often by clear sky. Called also high-area storm, anticyclone. When attended by high winds, snow, and freezing temperatures such storms have various local names, as blizzard, wet norther, purga, buran, etc.
Magnetic storm , See under Magnetic.
Storm-and-stress period , a designation given to the literary agitation and revolutionary development in Germany under the lead of Goethe and Schiller in the latter part of the 18th century.
Storm center (Meteorology) , the center of the area covered by a storm, especially by a storm of large extent.
Storm door (Architecture) , an extra outside door to prevent the entrance of wind, cold, rain, etc.; -- usually removed in summer.
Storm path (Meteorology) , the course over which a storm, or storm center, travels.
Storm sail (Nautical) , any one of a number of strong, heavy sails that are bent and set in stormy weather.
Storm scud , See the Note under Cloud.
Storm , transitive verb
(Military) To assault; to attack, and attempt to take, by scaling walls, forcing gates, breaches, or the like; as, to storm a fortified town.
Storm , intransitive verb
[Compare Anglo-Saxon styrman.]
1.
To raise a tempest. — Spenser
2.
To blow with violence; also, to rain, hail, snow, or the like, usually in a violent manner, or with high wind; -- used impersonally; as, it storms.
3.
To rage; to be in a violent passion; to fume.
The master storms, the lady scolds.