hurricane1
/ˈhʌrɪk(ə)n
/ /ˈhʌrɪkeɪn/noun
1A storm with a violent wind, in particular a tropical cyclone in the Caribbean.In fact, tropical storms or hurricanes have ended many droughts in Texas, and other parts of the world....
- Severe tropical cyclones correspond to the hurricanes or typhoons of other parts of the world.
- First, wind and water erode it, especially during tropical storms and hurricanes.
Synonyms
cyclone, typhoon, tornado, storm, tropical storm, tempest, windstorm, superstorm, gale, squall, whirlwind
North American informal twister
Australian/New Zealand informal willy-willy
1.1A wind of force 12 on the Beaufort scale (equal to or exceeding 64 knots or 118 km/h).
Origin
Mid 16th century: from Spanish huracán, probably from Taino hurakán 'god of the storm'.
When Christopher Columbus arrived in the Caribbean in 1492 he encountered the Arawak. These peaceful people did not long survive the coming of the Spanish, and are thought to have died out as a result of the diseases carried by the Europeans and attacks by their aggressive neighbours, the Carib. One part of their culture lives on in the term hurricane for a violent storm, specifically a tropical cyclone in the Caribbean. The word came into English via Spanish huracán from the name of the Arawak god of the storm, Hurakan. See also typhoon, tornado
Hurricane2
/ˈhʌrɪk(ə)n/ /ˈhʌrɪkeɪn/A single-seat, single-engined British fighter aircraft of the Second World War, produced by the Hawker company and remembered in particular for its role in the Battle of Britain along with the Spitfire.