waterspout

[ waw-ter-spout, wot-er- ]

noun

1. Also called rain·spout [reyn, -spout]. a pipe running down the side of a building to carry away water from the gutter of the roof:

   Don’t expect the waterspouts to function effectively if the gutters are clogged with leaves and other debris.

2. a spout, duct, or the like, from which water is discharged:

   The extendable waterspout can be attached to a bucket, making a better watering can than any that we’ve tried.

3. Meteorology. Also called fair-weath·er wa·ter·spout [fair, -we, th, -er]. a funnel-shaped column laden with mist and spray that develops on the surface of a body of water and climbs upward to the cloud that has spawned it: usually formed during conditions of light winds, fair-weather waterspouts have little lateral movement and are not normally accompanied by thunderstorms.
4. Meteorology. Also called tor·na·dic wa·ter·spout [tawr-, nad, -ik]. a tornado that forms in a downward direction over a body of water, typically during a severe thunderstorm and often accompanied by high winds, dangerous water turbulence, and large hail: although tornadic waterspouts tend to dissipate rapidly upon landfall, they may occasionally move inland.

waterspout

/ ˈwɔːtəˌspaʊt /

noun

1. meteorol
   1. a tornado occurring over water that forms a column of water and mist extending between the surface and the clouds above
   2. a sudden downpour of heavy rain
2. a pipe or channel through which water is discharged, esp one used for drainage from the gutters of a roof

Word History and Origins

Origin of waterspout¹

First recorded in 1350–1400 and in 1730–40 waterspout fordefs 3, 4; Middle English; water, spout

Example Sentences

Some so-called fair-weather waterspouts, not associated with thunderstorms, do fit this description.

From Washington Post

She said the damage extended along the path of the waterspout.

From Washington Post

Using high-speed video, neuroscientist Tejapratap Bollu and colleagues recorded the sides and bottoms of mouse tongues as the rodents drank from a waterspout.

From Science News

One night in the summer of 1749, a waterspout appeared in the Mediterranean Sea just off the coast of Italy.

From The Daily Beast

The Hebrew word for “waterspout,” as used in the book of Psalms, could also be translated as “waterfall.”

From The Daily Beast

Summoned to investigate the waterspout, Father Ruder set to work at once.

From The Daily Beast

As in the tornadoes, the waterspout begins with a funnel, which descends from the sky to the surface of the sea.

From Project Gutenberg

Like the tornadoes and dust whirls, the life of a waterspout appears to be brief.

From Project Gutenberg

Out of the depths of the pit a waterspout of fire shot suddenly, sending in every direction a shower of sparks.

From Project Gutenberg

Something whined over the Maggie and threw up a waterspout half a mile beyond her.

From Project Gutenberg

A waterspout is a whirling body of water, which rises from the sea like a sharp-pointed pillar.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• whirlpool