whole gale

American  

noun

Meteorology.

1. a wind of 55–63 miles per hour (24–28 meters per second).

---

whole gale British  

noun

1. a wind of force ten on the Beaufort scale

---

Etymology

Origin of whole gale

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

whole gale

The storm warnings that flew Lake Michigan's length changed that night into "whole gale" warnings.

From Time Magazine Archive

An hour or more before dark the wind increased, and was blowing a whole gale.

From 'Murphy' A Message to Dog Lovers by Gambier-Parry, Ernest

The Alabama lay still during the whole gale, not changing her position, perhaps, half a mile.

From Memoirs of Service Afloat, During the War Between the States by Semmes, Raphael

Half a gale blew; then a whole gale; then a semi-hurricane, and at last all the ships had to take in the fourth reef in the mainsail.

From A Dream of the North Sea by Runciman, James

The wind was now blowing a whole gale and the masts of the ship were bending like whips.

From Sir Henry Morgan, Buccaneer A Romance of the Spanish Main by Crawford, Will