mistral
Use Mistral in a sentence
trəl, mɪˈstrɑl noun
a cold, dry, northerly wind common in southern France and neighboring regions.
Origin:
1595–1605; < Middle French < Provençal; Old Provençal maistral < Latin magistrālis magistral
1595–1605; < Middle French < Provençal; Old Provençal maistral < Latin magistrālis magistral
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To mistral
00:10
Mistral
is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
mistral (ˈmɪstrəl, mɪˈstrɑːl) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a strong cold dry wind that blows through the Rhône valley and S France to the Mediterranean coast, mainly in the winter |
| 2. | the class of board used in international windsurfing competitions, weighing 15kg and measuring 372cm × 64cm |
| [C17: via French from Provençal, from Latin magistrālis | |
| Mistral | |
| —n | |
| 1. | Frédéric (frederik). 1830--1914, French Provençal poet, who led a movement to revive Provençal language and literature: shared the Nobel prize for literature 1904 |
| 2. | Gabriela (ɡaˈβrjela), pen name of Lucila Godoy de Alcayaga. 1889--1957, Chilean poet, educationalist, and diplomatist. Her poetry includes the collection Desolación (1922): Nobel prize for literature 1945 |
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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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
mistral
"cold northerly wind on the Mediterranean coast of France," 1604, from Fr., from Prov. mistral, lit. "the dominant wind," from mistral (adj.) "dominant," from L. magistralis "dominant," from magister "master."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia
mistral
cold and dry, strong wind in southern France that blows down from the north along the lower Rhone River valley toward the Mediterranean Sea. It may blow continuously for several days at a time, attain velocities of about 100 km (60 miles) per hour, and reach to a height of 2 to 3 km. It is strongest and most frequent in winter, and it sometimes causes considerable damage to crops. The velocity of the wind is intensified as it blows down from the highlands to the coast and by the "jet effect" that results as it is funneled through the narrow Rhone valley.
Learn more about mistral with a free trial on Britannica.com.
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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Example sentences
The mistral wind is a strong polar current between a large anticyclone and a low pressure center.
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