See Also: Herbal medicine (botanical medicine, herbology, phytomedicine)(health)
gale(dictionary)
gale(medicine)
gale(dictionary)
gale(4)(dictionary)
gale(3)(dictionary)
gale(2)(dictionary)
gale(1)(dictionary)
gale force(dictionary)
gale-opithecus(medicine)

gale (medicine)


gale


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

Gales have a velocity of from about eighteen ("moderate") to about eighty ("very heavy") miles an our.

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, one in which a ship may carry her topgallant sails.

Origin: 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.

<botany> 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.

Origin: AS. Gagel, akin to D. Gagel.

Source: Websters Dictionary