gusts

gust (ɡʌst)

—n
1.	a sudden blast of wind
2.	a sudden rush of smoke, sound, etc
3.	an outburst of emotion

—vb
4.	to blow in gusts: the wind was gusting to more than 50 mph

[C16: from Old Norse gustr; related to gjōsa to gush; see geyser]

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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

gust

1588, possibly a dial. survival from O.N. gustr "a cold blast of wind," or O.H.G. gussa "flood," both from P.Gmc. *gustiz, from PIE *gheus-, from root *gheu- "to pour." Probably originally in Eng. as a nautical term.

Example sentences

Thunder growled in the distance, and gusts of biting wind were driving huge

drops of rain over the thirsty plain.

Evaporatively cooled air falls through the towers under its own weight and

gusts into the building.

The wind gusts against your face, your body gliding smoothly against a backdrop

of fuzzy blue and gray skies.

The company printed new ads showing open windows and gusts of fresh air.

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Related Words

gusty whiffle

turbulence whoosh

Matching Quote

"There is never finality in the display terminal's screen, but an irresponsible whimsicality, as words, sentences, and paragraphs are negated at the touch of a key. The significance of the past, as expressed in the manuscript by a deleted word or an inserted correction, is annulled in idle gusts of electronic massacre."

-Alexander Cockburn