gale

 
Pronunciation: /geɪl/

noun

  • 1a very strong wind: I slept well despite the howling gales outside it was blowing a gale [as modifier]: gale-force winds battered the North Sea coast
  • (also fresh gale) (on the Beaufort scale) a wind of force 8 (34-40 knots or 63-74 kph).
  • a storm at sea.
  • 2 (a gale of/gales of) an outburst of laughter: she collapsed into gales of laughter

Origin:

mid 16th century: perhaps related to Old Norse galinn 'mad, frantic'