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squall1

[skwawl]
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noun
  1. a sudden, violent gust of wind, often accompanied by rain, snow, or sleet.
  2. a sudden disturbance or commotion.
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verb (used without object)
  1. to blow as a squall.
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Origin of squall1

First recorded in 1690–1700; perhaps special use of squall2
Related formssquall·ish, adjective

squall2

[skwawl]
verb (used without object)
  1. to cry or scream loudly and violently: The hungry baby began to squall.
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verb (used with object)
  1. to utter in a screaming tone.
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noun
  1. the act or sound of squalling: The baby's squall was heard next door.
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Origin of squall2

1625–35; perhaps < Old Norse skvala shriek, cry; compare Swedish, Norwegian skvala splash, stream
Related formssquall·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for squall

Historical Examples

  • By this time the squall had passed, and it lightened up a little.

    Ned Myers

    James Fenimore Cooper

  • The instant I was aware there was a squall, I sprang for the jib-sheet.

    Ned Myers

    James Fenimore Cooper

  • So the swoop of the squall took them completely by surprise.

    Fair Harbor

    Joseph Crosby Lincoln

  • The last commands were roars at the horse, for, at that moment, the squall struck.

    Fair Harbor

    Joseph Crosby Lincoln

  • In fact, the squall struck before I was abreast the Colton place.

    The Rise of Roscoe Paine

    Joseph C. Lincoln

British Dictionary definitions for squall

squall1

noun
  1. a sudden strong wind or brief turbulent storm
  2. any sudden commotion or show of temper
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verb
  1. (intr) to blow in a squall
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Derived Formssquallish, adjectivesqually, adjective

Word Origin

C18: perhaps a special use of squall ²

squall2

verb
  1. (intr) to cry noisily; yell
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noun
  1. a shrill or noisy yell or howl
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Derived Formssqualler, noun

Word Origin

C17: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Icelandic skvala to shout; see squeal
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for squall

n.

"sudden, violent gust of wind," 1719, originally nautical, probably from a Scandinavian source (cf. Norwegian skval "sudden rush of water," Swedish skvala "to gush, pour down"), probably ultimately a derivative of squall (v.).

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v.

"cry out loudly," 1630s, probably from Old Norse skvala "to cry out," of imitative origin (cf. squeal). Related: Squalled; squalling.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
squall in Science

squall

[skwôl]
  1. A brief, sudden, violent windstorm, often accompanied by rain or snow. A squall is said to occur if a wind having a sustained speed of 40 km (25 mi) per hour lasts at least 1 minute and then decreases rapidly. See also squall line.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.