williwaw

[ wil-ee-waw ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a violent squall that blows in near-polar latitudes, as in the Strait of Magellan, Alaska, and the Aleutian Islands.

williwaw

/ ˈwɪlɪˌwɔː /

a sudden strong gust of cold wind blowing offshore from a mountainous coast, as in the Strait of Magellan
a state of great turmoil

First recorded in 1835–45; origin uncertain

C19: of unknown origin

On the afternoon of the tenth day on the island the sky clouded up and Mr. Gibney predicted a williwaw.

A williwaw began in the hills ahead and swept out and set the ship to reeling crazily in its erratic currents.

April 20, 2024flabbergast

[flab-er-gast ]

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