storm

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Any disturbed state of the atmosphere causing destructive or unpleasant weather,…

   Any disturbed state of the atmosphere causing destructive or unpleasant weather, especially one affecting the earth's surface involving strong winds (leading to high waves at sea) and usually lightning, thunder, and precipitation.

   • Near-synonyms: cyclone (broad sense), tempest
   • The boat was torn to pieces in the storm, and nobody survived.
   • Thou toyl'ſt in perrill, and the vvindie ſtorme, / Doth topſide-turuey toſſe thee as thou floteſt.
2. 2

   A heavy expulsion or fall of things (as blows, objects which are thrown, etc.).

   • a storm of bullets
   • Adrastus firſt aduanſt his creſt aloft, / And boldly gan a ſtrong ſcalado reare, / And through the falling ſtorme did vpward clime / Of ſtones, dartes, arrovves, fire, pitch and lime: […]
   • [F]or this day will pour down, / If I conjecture aught, no drizling ſhowr, / But ratling ſtorm of Arrows barbd with fire.
3. 3

   A violent agitation of human society

   A violent agitation of human society; a domestic, civil, or political commotion.

   • The proposed reforms have led to a political storm.
   • Savv you no more? Mark'd you not hovv hir ſiſter / Began to ſcold, and raiſe vp ſuch a ſtorme, / That moral eares might hardly indure the din.
   • VVhiles I in Ireland nouriſh a mightie Band, / I vvill ſtirre vp in England ſome black Storme, / Shall blovve then thouſand Soules to Heauen, or Hell: […]
4. ›+ 17 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      A violent commotion or outbreak of sounds, speech, thoughts, etc.

      A violent commotion or outbreak of sounds, speech, thoughts, etc.; also, an outpouring of emotion.

      • a storm of protest
      • [W]as there euer any thing proiected, that fauoured any vvay of nevvneſſe or renevving, but the ſame endured many a ſtorme of gaine-ſaying, or oppoſition?
      • With storms of whistlings then his flock he drave / Up to the mountains; […]
   2. 5

      Chiefly with a qualifying word

      Chiefly with a qualifying word: a violent attack of diease, pain, physiological reactions, symptoms, etc.; a paroxysm.

      • asthmatic storm    cytokine storm
   3. 6

      Ellipsis of storm window (“a second window (originally detachable) attached on the…

      Ellipsis of storm window (“a second window (originally detachable) attached on the exterior side of a window in climates with harsh winters, to add an insulating layer of still air between the outside and inside”).

   4. 7

      Preceded by the dummy subject it

      Preceded by the dummy subject it: to have strong winds and usually lightning and thunder, and/or hail, rain, or snow.

      • It stormed throughout the night.
      • Throughout the night it stormed violently—rain, hail, snow, and sleet beating upon the vessel—the wind continuing ahead, and the sea running high.
   5. 8

      To make (someone or something) stormy

      To make (someone or something) stormy; to agitate (someone or something) violently.

      • And dovvne I laid to liſt the ſad tun'd tale, / Ere long eſpied a fickle maid full pale / Tearing of papers breaking rings a tvvaine, / Storming her vvorld vvith ſorrovves, vvind and raine.
      • Meantime, our simulated thunderclaps / Which tell us counterfeited truths—these same / Are—sound, when music storms the soul, perhaps?
      • The driver turned in the saddle to see if there were any chance of capturing the revolver and ending the ride. Dick roused, struck him over the head with the butt, and stormed himself wide awake.
   6. 9

      To disturb or trouble (someone).

   7. 10

      To use (harsh language).

   8. 11

      To violently assault (a fortified position or stronghold, a building, etc.) with the aim…

      To violently assault (a fortified position or stronghold, a building, etc.) with the aim of gaining control of it.

      • the storming of the Bastille
      • Troops stormed the complex.
      • All night beneath hard heavy arms to vvatch; / All day to mount the trench, to ſtorm the breach; […]
   9. 12

      To catch up (on production output) by making frenzied or herculean efforts.

      • They were storming near the end of the month to salvage some goodwill.
   10. 13

       To protect (seed-hay) from stormy weather by putting sheaves of them into small stacks.

   11. 14

       Of the weather

       Of the weather: to be violent, with strong winds and usually lightning and thunder, and/or hail, rain, or snow.

       • My harueſte haſts to ſtirre vp winter ſterne, / And bids him clayme with rigorous rage hys right. / So nowe he ſtormes with many a ſturdy ſtoure, / So now his bluſtring blaſt eche coſte doth ſcoure.
       • [H]e, whose bow thus storm'd / For our offences, may be calm'd.
       • From Shetland ſtradling vvide, his [Boreas's] foote on Thuly ſets: / VVhence ſtorming, all the vaſt Deucalidon hee threts, / And beares his boyſtrous vvaues into the narrovver mouth / Of the Verginian Sea: […]
   12. 15

       To be exposed to harsh (especially cold) weather.

   13. 16

       To move noisily and quickly like a storm (noun etymology 1, noun sense 1), usually in a…

       To move noisily and quickly like a storm (noun etymology 1, noun sense 1), usually in a state of anger or uproar.

       • She stormed out of the room.
       • Then the music touch'd the gates and died; / Rose again from where it seem'd to fail, / Storm'd in orbs of song, a growing gale; […]
       • Storm'd at with shot and shell, / Boldly they rode and well; / Into the jaws of Death, / Into the mouth of Hell, / Rode the six hundred.
   14. 17

       To move quickly in the course of an assault on a fortified position or stronghold, a…

       To move quickly in the course of an assault on a fortified position or stronghold, a building, etc.

   15. 18

       To be in a violent temper

       To be in a violent temper; to use harsh language; to fume, to rage.

       • [T]he prieſts of the countrey cluſtering togither, began to grudge and ſtorme againſt Tindall [William Tyndale], rauing againſt him in alehouſes and other places.
       • VVhy looke you hovv you ſtorme, / I vvould be friends vvith you, and haue your loue, / Forget the ſhames that you haue ſtain'd me vvith, […]
       • O Father, storm'st thou not / To see us take these wrongs from men?
   16. 19

       A violent assault on a fortified position or stronghold.

   17. 20

       A unisex given name.

The neighborhood

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