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Webster 1913 Edition


Waterspout

Wa′ter-spoutˊ

,
Noun.
A remarkable meteorological phenomenon, of the nature of a tornado or whirlwind, usually observed over the sea, but sometimes over the land.
☞ Tall columns, apparently of cloud, and reaching from the sea to the clouds, are seen moving along, often several at once, sometimes straight and vertical, at other times inclined and tortuous, but always in rapid rotation. At their bases, the sea is violently agitated and heaped up with a leaping or boiling motion, water, at least in some cases, being actually carried up in considerable quantity, and scattered round from a great height, as solid bodies are by tornadoes on land.
Sir J. Herschel.

Definition 2024


waterspout

waterspout

See also: water spout

English

Noun

waterspout (plural waterspouts)

  1. a tornado that occurs over a body of water
  2. a channel through which water is discharged, especially from the gutters of a roof

Quotations

water tornado
  • 1922, Katherine Mansfield, At The Bay
    Stanley turned over on his back and kicked with his legs till he was a living waterspout.

Translations

See also