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.
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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) |