topgallant gale

1 definition found

topgallant gale - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Gale \Gale\ (g[=a]l), n. [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. gj[=o]la 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.
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     Note: Gales have a velocity of from about eighteen
           ("moderate") to about eighty ("very heavy") miles an
           our. --Sir. W. S. Harris.
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     2. A moderate current of air; a breeze.
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              A little gale will soon disperse that cloud. --Shak.
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              And winds of gentlest gale Arabian odors fanned
              From their soft wings.                --Milton.
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     3. A state of excitement, passion, or hilarity.
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              The ladies, laughing heartily, were fast getting
              into what, in New England, is sometimes called a
              gale.                                 --Brooke
                                                    (Eastford).
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     Topgallant gale (Naut.), one in which a ship may carry her
        topgallant sails.
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