squall

squall¹ Definition

squall (skwôl)

noun

Etymology: < Scand, as in Swed sqval, a sudden shower, downpour: for prob. base see squall

intransitive verb

to storm briefly; blow a squall

squall¹ Related Forms

squall′y adjective squall′i·er, squall′i·est

squall² Definition

squall (skwôl)

intransitive verb, transitive verb

to cry or scream loudly and harshly

Etymology: < ON skvala, to cry out, yell: see squeal

noun

a harsh, shrill cry or loud scream

squall² Related Forms

squall′er noun

squall Synonyms

blast, gust, gale, brief gale, tempest, blow*, restricted storm; see also storm 1.

squall Synonyms

yell, whine, whimper; see cry 3.

squall Usage Examples

Object

guitar: With its thick, squalling guitar it sounds more like a précis of the full version that we know and love.

Converse of object

pass: Only now, as it grows dark, do we realize that they were just passing squalls.
have: Finally on Mickle Fell I had a squall from hell with torrential rain and gale force winds.
weather: Thus far, the Ernst & Young ITEM Club has said that the UK has weathered recessionary squalls very well.

Converse of subject

hit: We were sailing along quite happily in a good force 4 when we were hit by a squall.

Adjective modifier

sudden: In many harbor areas or at the mouths of large river systems, these summer afternoon or evening breezes give rise to sudden squalls.
fierce: The morning promised sunshine but dealt us a fierce squall of wind and rain just as we unpacked the minibus.
violent: A few minutes more, and the little vessel was caught in a violent squall, and swept back into the cyclone.
heavy: He said there were heavy rain squalls in the area.
occasional: A light rain jacket is a good idea for the occasional squalls.
strong: They had a rough passage with strong squalls which damaged some of the sails.

Modifies a noun

Noun used with modifier

rain: The great lagoon was making its own weather: in the far eastern corner there were gray pillars of a rain squall.
snow: For example, three separate snow squalls affect your station during your 24- hour... your 24-hour snowfall total.
wind: The pre-monsoon ( mid-April to early June ) is stifling at lower elevations, and dusty wind squalls are common.
guitar: The Bevis Saloman adds strange psych guitar squalls as slowly but surely the sound takes flight & soars into the ether.

Preposition: of

rain: By 29 October 2000, the winds had gusted to Gale Force 8 and even Storm Force 10, with squalls of heavy rain.
feedback: This was apparently one long improvised " avant rock " piece, featuring much squalling of feedback.
wind: The morning promised sunshine but dealt us a fierce squall of wind and rain just as we unpacked the minibus.
hail: On Thompson, the high trees were filled with birds, and their chatter sounded like squalls of hail and glass.

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