stormy petrel

noun

1. the British storm petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus, of the eastern Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Indian Ocean.
2. a person who causes or likes trouble or strife.

stormy petrel

noun

1. See storm petrel
   another name for storm petrel
2. a person who brings or portends trouble

Word History and Origins

Origin of stormy petrel¹

First recorded in 1770–80

Example Sentences

Weary to death, Eric flung himself down, and slept deep and sound till the morning, on board the Stormy Petrel.

From Project Gutenberg

He found his vein in weekly journalism, and for nearly forty years was the stormy petrel of Canadian politics.

From Project Gutenberg

A fishing-schooner, if well handled, is a veritable stormy petrel in riding out a blow.

From Project Gutenberg

Long before the first outbreak of hostilities in America Miranda had played the part of stormy petrel in other continents.

From Project Gutenberg

But the good Bishop he walked as easily as a stormy petrel, for he was a man of God.

From Project Gutenberg