Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Storm?

\Storm\, n. {Anticyclonic storm} (Meteor.), a storm characterized by a central area of high atmospheric pressure, and having a system of winds blowing spirally outward in a direction contrary to that cyclonic storms. It is attended by low temperature, dry air, infrequent precipitation, and often by clear sky. Called also {high-area storm}, {anticyclone}. When attended by high winds, snow, and freezing temperatures such storms have various local names, as {blizzard}, {wet norther}, {purga}, {buran}, etc. {Cyclonic storm}. (Meteor.) A cyclone, or low-area storm. See {Cyclone}, above. Stovain \Sto"va*in\, n. Also -ine \-ine\ . [Stove (a translation of the name of the discoverer, Fourneau + -in, -ine.] (Pharm.) A substance, {C14H22O2NCl}, the hydrochloride of an amino compound containing benzol, used, in solution with strychnine, as a local an[ae]sthetic, esp. by injection into the sheath of the spinal cord, producing an[ae]sthesia below the point of introduction.
\Storm\, n. [AS. storm; akin to D. storm, G. sturm, Icel. stormr; and perhaps to Gr. ? assault, onset, Skr. s? to flow, to hasten, or perhaps to L. sternere to strew, prostrate (cf. {Stratum}). [root]166.] 1. A violent disturbance of the atmosphere, attended by wind, rain, snow, hail, or thunder and lightning; hence, often, a heavy fall of rain, snow, or hail, whether accompanied with wind or not. We hear this fearful tempest sing, Yet seek no shelter to avoid the storm. --Shak. 2. A violent agitation of human society; a civil, political, or domestic commotion; sedition, insurrection, or war; violent outbreak; clamor; tumult. I will stir up in England some black storm. --Shak. Her sister Began to scold and raise up such a storm. --Shak. 3. A heavy shower or fall, any adverse outburst of tumultuous force; violence. A brave man struggling in the storms of fate. --Pope. 4. (Mil.) A violent assault on a fortified place; a furious attempt of troops to enter and take a fortified place by scaling the walls, forcing the gates, or the like. Note: Storm is often used in the formation of self-explained compounds; as, storm-presaging, stormproof, storm-tossed, and the like. {Magnetic storm}. See under {Magnetic}. {Storm-and-stress period} [a translation of G. sturm und drang periode], a designation given to the literary agitation and revolutionary development in Germany under the lead of Goethe and Schiller in the latter part of the 18th century. {Storm center} (Meteorol.), the center of the area covered by a storm, especially by a storm of large extent. {Storm door} (Arch.), an extra outside door to prevent the entrance of wind, cold, rain, etc.; -- usually removed in summer. {Storm path} (Meteorol.), the course over which a storm, or storm center, travels. {Storm petrel}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Stormy petrel}, under {Petrel}. {Storm sail} (Naut.), any one of a number of strong, heavy sails that are bent and set in stormy weather. {Storm scud}. See the Note under {Cloud}. Syn: Tempest; violence; agitation; calamity. Usage: {Storm}, {Tempest}. Storm is violent agitation, a commotion of the elements by wind, etc., but not necessarily implying the fall of anything from the clouds. Hence, to call a mere fall or rain without wind a storm is a departure from the true sense of the word. A tempest is a sudden and violent storm, such as those common on the coast of Italy, where the term originated, and is usually attended by a heavy rain, with lightning and thunder. Storms beat, and rolls the main; O! beat those storms, and roll the seas, in vain. --Pope. What at first was called a gust, the same Hath now a storm's, anon a tempest's name. --Donne.
\Storm\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Stormed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Storming}.] (Mil.) To assault; to attack, and attempt to take, by scaling walls, forcing gates, breaches, or the like; as, to storm a fortified town.
\Storm\, v. i. [Cf. AS. styrman.] 1. To raise a tempest. --Spenser. 2. To blow with violence; also, to rain, hail, snow, or the like, usually in a violent manner, or with high wind; -- used impersonally; as, it storms. 3. To rage; to be in a violent passion; to fume. The master storms, the lady scolds. --Swift.