Stōrm1, n.
n. [A-S.; L. Ger., D., Dan., & Sw. storm, Icel. stormr, O. & N. H. Ger. sturm, from the root of stir, Prov. Ger. stüren; whence It. stormo, Pr. estorn, O. Fr. estor, bustle, noise, fight, It. stormire, Pr. & O. Fr. estormir, to make a noise, to combat.]
Sense 1. A violent disturbance of the atmosphere, producing wind, rain, snow, hail, or thunder and lightning; hence, often, a fall of rain or snow.
Amidst the storm they sang, And the stars heard, and the sea. Hemans.
Sense 2. Hence, a violent agitation of human society; a civil, political, or domestic commotion; sedition, insurrection, or war; clamor; tumult.
I will stir up in England some black storms. Shak.
Her sister Began to scold and raise up such a storm. Shak.
Sense 3. Violent calamity; tumultuous force; adversity; distress. “A brave man struggling with the storms of fate.” Pope.
Sense 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, and the like.
☞ Storm is often used in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, storm-menacing, storm-presaging, storm-proof, storm-tossed, storm-reared, and the like.
Magnetic storm, a violent and unusual disturbance of the earth’s magnetism over an extensive area, as shown by changes in the deviation of the needle and the intensity of the magnetic force.
Synonyms— Tempest; violence; agitation; calamity. — STORM, TEMPEST. Storm is violent agitation, a commotion of the elements by wind, &c., but not necessarily implying the fall of any thing from the clouds. Hence, to call a mere fall of rain without wind a storm (though common in this country), is a departure from the true sense of the word. A tempest is one of those sudden and violent storms common on the coast of Italy, where the term originated, and is usually attended by deluge of rain, with lightning and thunder.
Storms beat, and rolls the main; O, beat those storms, and roll the seas, in vain. Pope.
What at first was called a “gust,” the same Hath now a storm’s, anon a tempest’s name. Donne.