dust devil

dust devil

noun
a small whirlwind 10–100 feet (3–30 meters) in diameter and from several hundred to 1000 feet (305 meters) high, common in dry regions on hot, calm afternoons and made visible by the dust, debris, and sand it picks up from the ground.
Also called dust whirl.


Origin:
1890–95
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Dust devil is always a great word to know.
So is slumgullion. Does it mean:
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
Collins
World English Dictionary
dust devil
 
n
a strong miniature whirlwind that whips up dust, litter, leaves, etc into the air

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia

dust devil

small, brief whirlwind occurring most frequently in the early afternoon when a land surface is heating rapidly. Dust devils are occasionally made visible by the lofting of dust, leaves, or other loose matter from the surface. See also whirlwind.

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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