turbulence
/ˈtəːbjʊl(ə)ns
/noun [mass noun]
1Violent or unsteady movement of air or water, or of some other fluid: the plane shuddered as it entered some turbulence...
- Frictional turbulence is where a layer of wind passing across land or sea generates disturbances within itself.
- Turbidity currents are high-density flows in which the sediment is supported by the upward component of fluid turbulence.
- His doctoral dissertation, presented to Munich in 1923, was on turbulence in fluid streams.
Synonyms
rough air currents, irregular atmospheric motion, uneven air movement
roughness, storminess, tempestuousness, heaviness, violence, wildness, choppiness, agitation
1.1A state of conflict or confusion: political turbulence...
- The political and economic turbulence of the Civil War years intensified their troubles.
- What is happening is that all this turbulence and confusion makes us nervous and defensive.
- They would not carry the research overheads of universities and would remain free of political turbulence.
Synonyms
turmoil, instability, conflict, upheaval, tumult, troubles, unrest, ferment, disorder, disruption, disturbance, chaos, confusion;
German Sturm und Drang
Origin
Late Middle English: from Old French, or from late Latin turbulentia, from turbulentus 'full of commotion' (see turbulent).