hurricane Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a severe tropical cyclone usually with heavy rains and winds moving a 73-136 knots (12 on the Beaufort scale)

Sp. hurracan; orig. a Carib word signifying, a high wind.

A violent storm, characterized by extreme fury and sudden changes of the wind, and generally accompanied by rain, thunder, and lightning; -- especially prevalent in the East and West Indies. Also used figuratively.
Like the smoke in a hurricane whirl'd. Tennyson.

Each guilty thought to me is A dreadful hurricane. Massinger.