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Webster 1913 Edition


Windfall

Wind′fallˊ

,
Noun.
1.
Anything blown down or off by the wind, as fruit from a tree, or the tree itself, or a portion of a forest prostrated by a violent wind, etc.
“They became a windfall upon the sudden.”
Bacon.
2.
An unexpected legacy, or other gain.
He had a mighty
windfall
out of doubt.
B. Jonson.

Webster 1828 Edition


Windfall

WINDFALL

,
Noun.
[wind and fall.]
1.
Fruit blown off the tree by wind.
2.
An unexpected legacy.

Definition 2024


windfall

windfall

English

Noun

windfall (plural windfalls)

  1. Something that has been blown down by the wind.
  2. A fruit that has fallen from a tree naturally, as from wind
    They couldn't reach the branches, so they ate the windfalls.
  3. (figuratively) A sudden large benefit; especially, a sudden or unexpected large amount of money, as from lottery or sweepstakes winnings or an unexpected inheritance or gift.
    • 2004: Chris Wallace, Character: Profiles in Presidential Courage
      Businessmen rushed to get every last commodity aboard a departing ship, hoping for a windfall once the world realized these would be the very last sacks of flour available, thus driving up prices.

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