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

This williwaw raises enough of a dust-screen for Miss Warren to squeeze in the kind of songs Deanna used to sing and the title song, a very tuneful melody.

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

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

From Time Magazine Archive

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

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