williwaw

[wil-ee-waw]

noun

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

williwaw

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of williwaw¹

First recorded in 1835–45; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of williwaw¹

C19: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

The williwaws, which are what they call the hard squalls off the high hills down there, were having a great time with out battle-ship topsides.

From Project Gutenberg