/herr"i kayn', hur"-/ or, esp. Brit., /-keuhn/ , n.
1. a violent, tropical, cyclonic storm of the western North Atlantic, having wind speeds of or in excess of 72 mph (32 m/sec). Cf. tropical cyclone, typhoon .
2. a storm of the most intense severity.
3. anything suggesting a violent storm.
4. ( cap. ) Mil. a single-seat British fighter plane of World War II, fitted with eight .303 caliber machine guns and with a top speed in excess of 300 mph (480 km/h).
[ 1545-55; huracán hurakán ]