williwaw

American  

[wil-ee-waw] / ˈwɪl iˌwɔ /

noun

1. a violent squall that blows in near-polar latitudes, as in the Strait of Magellan, Alaska, and the Aleutian Islands.

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williwaw British  

/ ˈwɪlɪˌwɔː /

noun

1. a sudden strong gust of cold wind blowing offshore from a mountainous coast, as in the Strait of Magellan

2. a state of great turmoil

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Etymology

Origin of williwaw

First recorded in 1835–45; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

TEMPEST. "kicking up a great williwaw of dust." yawping. n. a strident or prattling utterance, "moldy characters and philosophical yawpings about life."

From Time Magazine Archive

Connell said it was like a williwaw, a gust of cold wind, blowing through the prison.

From Time Magazine Archive

Stanley Umstead started the four engines from left to right, kicking up a great williwaw of dust as he turned them up.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Philharmonikers have kept a stiff upper lip, but the Philadelphians, after brooding and glooming for a whole season, last week broke out in a williwaw.

From Time Magazine Archive

On the afternoon of the tenth day on the island the sky clouded up and Mr. Gibney predicted a williwaw.

From Captain Scraggs or, The Green-Pea Pirates by Grant, Gordon