See Also: gale(2)(dictionary)
gale(dictionary)
gale(medicine)
gale(dictionary)
gale(4)(dictionary)
gale(3)(dictionary)
gale(1)(dictionary)
gale force(dictionary)
Gale - Sailing(gambling)
gale-opithecus(medicine)

gale(2) (iou)



gale noun2. M16.
[Origin uncertain: perh. orig. an adjective in gale wind and, in spite of the late date, of Scandinavian origin and to be connected with Middle Swedish, Norwegian galen bad (of weather), Old Norse galenn mad, frantic.]
A strong wind; spec. (on the Beaufort scale) one of force 8 and 9, or with a speed of between 34 and 47 knots; Nautical a storm. M16.
near gale: with a speed of between 34 and 40 knots (8 on the Beaufort scale). strong gale: with a speed of between 41 and 47 knots (9 on the Beaufort scale).
F. Chichester The seas were very rough..with a gale south-west by west. E. Ardizzone By this time it was blowing a gale.
b. A gentle breeze. poet. & rhet. L17.
transf. & fig.
a. An outpouring, an outburst, esp. of laughter. Now usu. in pl. E17.
W. March She went into gales of merriment, her laughter resounding through the department.
b. A state of excitement. US. M19.