n. & v.
--n.
1. a violent disturbance of the atmosphere with strong winds and usu. with thunder and rain or snow etc.
2 Meteorol. a wind intermediate between gale and hurricane, esp. (on the Beaufort scale) of 55-72 m.p.h.
3 a violent disturbance of the established order in human affairs.
4 (foll. by of) a a violent shower of missiles or blows. b an outbreak of applause, indignation, hisses, etc. (they were greeted by a storm of abuse).
5 a a direct assault by troops on a fortified place. b the capture of a place by such an assault.
--v.
1. intr. (often foll. by at, away) talk violently, rage, bluster.
2 intr. (usu. foll. by in, out of, etc.) move violently or angrily (stormed out of the meeting).
3 tr. attack or capture by storm.
4 intr. (of wind, rain, etc.) rage; be violent.
Phrases and idioms:
storm-bird storm petrel. storm centre
1. the point to which the wind blows spirally inward in a cyclonic storm.
2 a subject etc. upon which agitation or disturbance is concentrated.
storm cloud
1. a heavy rain-cloud.
2 a threatening state of affairs. storm-cock a mistle-thrush. storm-collar a high coat-collar that can be turned up and fastened. storm cone Brit. a tarred-canvas cone hoisted as a warning of high wind, upright for the north and inverted for the south. storm-door an additional outer door for protection in bad weather or winter. storm-finch Brit. storm petrel. storm-glass a sealed tube containing a solution of which the clarity is thought to change when storms approach. storming-party a detachment of troops ordered to begin an assault. storm in a teacup Brit. great excitement over a trivial matter. storm-lantern Brit. a hurricane lamp.
storm petrel
1. a small petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus, of the North Atlantic, with black and white plumage.
2 a person causing unrest. storm-sail a sail of smaller size and stouter canvas than the corresponding one used in ordinary weather. storm-signal a device warning of an approaching storm.
storm trooper
1. hist. a member of the Nazi political militia.
2 a member of the shock troops.
storm troops
1. shock troops (see SHOCK(1)).
2 hist. the Nazi political militia. storm window an additional outer sash-window used like a storm-door.
take by storm
1. capture by direct assault.
2 rapidly captivate (a person, audience, etc.).
Derivatives:
stormless adj. stormproof adj.
Etymology: OE f. Gmc