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

The slope became steeper, the ice harder, the half gale became a whole gale, and the delay between each step seemed interminable.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

The Channel was widening into the ocean, with depth enough for seas of oceanic volume, and it was still, as it had been for some hours, blowing a whole gale of wind.

From Project Gutenberg

Isabel's old house creaked and rattled and groaned like a ship in a whole gale, and the wind sent great waves of rain along the veranda.

From Project Gutenberg

Out of a bleak and threatening west the wind blew ominously true—a whole gale, accompanied by a heavy fall of snow.

From Project Gutenberg