squall Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun sudden violent winds; often accompanied by precipitation
  2. verb make high-pitched, whiney noises
    wawl; waul.
  3. verb utter a sudden loud cry
    cry; hollo; shout; call; holler; yell; scream; shout out.
    • she cried with pain when the doctor inserted the needle
    • I yelled to her from the window but she couldn't hear me
  4. verb blow in a squall
    • When it squalls, a prudent sailor reefs his sails

WordNet

Squall noun
Etymology
Cf. Sw. sqval an impetuous running of water, sqvalregn a violent shower of rain, sqala to stream, to gush.
Definitions
  1. A sudden violent gust of wind often attended with rain or snow.
    The gray skirts of a lifting squall. Tennyson.
    Totten.
Squall intransitive verb
Etymology
Icel. skvala. Cf. Squeal.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Squalled ; present participle & verbal noun Squalling
Definitions
  1. To cry out; to scream or cry violently, as a woman frightened, or a child in anger or distress; as, the infant squalled.
Squall noun
Definitions
  1. A loud scream; a harsh cry.
    There oft are heard the notes of infant woe, - The short, thick sob, loud scream, and shriller squall. Pope.

Webster 1913