nor'easter

[ nawr-ee-ster ]

nounMeteorology.

an eastern North American storm that usually develops between the Georgia and New Jersey latitudes, progressing northeastward and typified by potentially violent northeast winds: most frequent and intense from September through April, nor’easters can develop within a hundred miles of the east coast and commonly bring heavy rain or snow and coastal damage: The nor’easter of 1992 breached the island and destroyed many homes.

Origin of nor'easter

First recorded in 1830–40; by shortening of northeaster

Also called north·east·er [nawrth-ee-ster; Nautical nawr-ee-ster], /ˌnɔrθˈi stər; Nautical ˌnɔrˈi stər/, north·east storm [nawrth-eest-stawrm] /ˌnɔrθˈist ˈstɔrm/ .

Charlie Webster had hinted at a nor'easter—even a hurricane.
Pieces of Eight | Richard le Gallienne
For the gray dog, racing like the nor'easter over the sea, had already retrieved the fugitive.
Bob, Son of Battle | Alfred Ollivant
A cold nor'easter compelled us to pass the night here, and a long wretched night it was.
The New England Magazine Volume 1, No. 3, March, 1886 | Various
It needed no seaman to prophecy the fate of a boat caught between that rock and a nor'easter.
Heralds of Empire | Agnes C. Laut
But when I woke up at daylight and heard this nor'easter snortin' through the streets I couldn't stand it a mite longer.
Shorty McCabe on the Job | Sewell Ford

Browse