- A strong current of air; a wind between a stiff breeze and a hurricane. The most violent gales are called tempests.
- A moderate current of air; a breeze."A little gale will soon disperse that cloud." [Shak.]"And winds of gentlest gale Arabian odors fanned From their soft wings." [Milton.]
- A state of excitement, passion, or hilarity."The ladies, laughing heartily, were fast getting into what, in New England, is sometimes called a gale." [Brooke (Eastford).]
Note: ☞ Gales have a velocity of from about eighteen (“moderate”) to about eighty (“very heavy”) miles an our.
Etymology: Prob. of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. gal furious, Icel. galinn, cf. Icel. gala to sing, AS. galan to sing, Icel. galdr song, witchcraft, AS. galdor charm, sorcery, E. nightingale; also, Icel. gjōla gust of wind, gola breeze. Cf. Yell