dust whirl

[duhst hwurl, wurl]

noun

Meteorology.

1. a whirlwind that forms over a dry and dusty area, picking up dust, sand, leaves, and debris: a dust whirl can be as minor as a very small eddy that circulates dried leaves by the side of the road or as vigorous as a dust devil, and occasionally can be the first visible sign of an imminent tornado.

   Mama taught us to respect the omens of ill weather and never to trust the innocence of a little dust whirl.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dust whirl¹

First recorded in 1885–90