williwaw
a violent squall that blows in near-polar latitudes, as in the Strait of Magellan, Alaska, and the Aleutian Islands.
Origin of williwaw
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use williwaw in a sentence
There (December 16th, 1826) she was driven on shore by the furious strength of the williwaws, and wrecked.
The crews of sealing vessels call them 'williwaws,' or 'hurricane-squalls,' and they are most violent.
We were quite sheltered from the true wind; but were reached most effectually by the williwaws, which came down with great force.
This afternoon it blew a heavy gale, but in such a sheltered place we only felt a few williwaws.
At half a mile from the land there was little wind; but from that distance to the shore was torn up by williwaws.
British Dictionary definitions for williwaw
/ (ˈwɪlɪˌwɔː) /
a sudden strong gust of cold wind blowing offshore from a mountainous coast, as in the Strait of Magellan
a state of great turmoil
Origin of williwaw
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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