Storm petrel

Storm 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. [1913 Webster]

We hear this fearful tempest sing, Yet seek no shelter to avoid the storm. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. A violent agitation of human society; a civil, political, or domestic commotion; sedition, insurrection, or war; violent outbreak; clamor; tumult. [1913 Webster]

I will stir up in England some black storm. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Her sister Began to scold and raise up such a storm. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

3. A heavy shower or fall, any adverse outburst of tumultuous force; violence. [1913 Webster]

A brave man struggling in the storms of fate. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Note: Storm is often used in the formation of self-explained compounds; as, storm-presaging, stormproof, storm-tossed, and the like. [1913 Webster]

{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.

{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}. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Storms beat, and rolls the main; O! beat those storms, and roll the seas, in vain. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

What at first was called a gust, the same Hath now a storm's, anon a tempest's name. --Donne. [1913 Webster]