Category:Gale

Gale, n. Etym: [Prob. of Scand.. origin; cf. Dan. gal furious, Icel. galinn, cf. Icel. gala to sing, AS. galan to sing, Icel. galdr song, witchcraft, AS. galdor charm, sorcery, E. nightingale; also, Icel. gjla gust of wind, gola breeze. Cf. Yell.]

1. A strong current of air; a wind between a stiff breeze and a hurricane. The most violent gales are called tempests.

Note: Gales have a velocity of from about eighteen ("moderate") to about eighty ("very heavy") miles an our. Sir. W. S. Harris.

2. A moderate current of air; a breeze. A little gale will soon disperse that cloud. Shak. And winds of gentlest gale Arabian odors fanned From their soft wings. Milton.

3. A state of excitement, passion, or hilarity. The ladies, laughing heartily, were fast getting into what, in New England, is sometimes called a gale. Brooke (Eastford). Topgallant gale (Naut.), one in which a ship may carry her topgallant sails.

gale Gale, v. i. (Naut.)

Defn: To sale, or sail fast.

gale Gale, n Etym: [OE. gal. See Gale wind.]

Defn: A song or story. [Obs.] Toone.

gale Gale, v. i. Etym: [AS. galan. See 1st Gale.]

Defn: To sing. [Obs.] "Can he cry and gale." Court of Love.

gale Gale, n Etym: [AS. gagel, akin to D. gagel.] (Bot.)

Defn: A plant of the genus Myrica, growing in wet places, and strongly resembling the bayberry. The sweet gale (Myrica Gale) is found both in Europe and in America.

gale Gale, n. Etym: [Cf. Gabel.]

Defn: The payment of a rent or annuity. [Eng.] Mozley & W. Gale day, the day on which rent or interest is due.