tȯ(r)ˈnā(ˌ)dō sometimes tə(r)ˈn- noun
( plural tornadoes or tornados )
Etymology: modification (influenced by Spanish tornado, past participle of tornar to turn, return, from Latin tornare to turn in a lathe) of Spanish tronada thunderstorm, from feminine of tronado, past participle of tronar to thunder, from Latin tonare — more at thunder
1.
a. archaic : a tropical thunderstorm
b. obsolete : the season of such storms
2.
a. : a squall accompanying a thunderstorm in Africa
b. : a violent destructive whirling wind accompanied by a funnel-shaped cloud that progresses in a narrow path often for many miles over the land, occurs in many parts of the world but most frequently in the central Mississippi valley, and is associated with a fall in barometric pressure so rapid that wooden structures are often lifted and burst open by the air confined within them — compare cyclone , hurricane
3. : a violent or destructive windstorm : whirlwind
4. : something likened to a storm: as
a. : a spectacular display of energy or power : dynamo
he was a tornado when in action — Stanley Walker
the maid was no respecter of persons when the tornado of work was in her — Adrian Bell
b. : a surge of destruction or devastation
seemed torn by a tornado of grief and rage — Rumer Godden
c. : a torrential volume : freshet , spate , rush
a tornado of words: too many at once to get into my ears — Hugh McCrae
a tornado of protest
d. : a riotous showing (as of color or sound)
a tornado of applause
Synonyms: see wind