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

The President in press conference tried to head off a williwaw by insisting that Glennan's move was only part of a "study" in which the President himself would make the final ruling.

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

Last week the Cabinet met in Paris, listened for five hours to the williwaw of conflicting opinions.

From Time Magazine Archive

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

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