Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

turbulent

 - 3 dictionary results

tur⋅bu⋅lent

  [tur-byuh-luhnt]
Use turbulent in a Sentence
–adjective
1. being in a state of agitation or tumult; disturbed: turbulent feelings or emotions.
2. characterized by, or showing disturbance, disorder, etc.: the turbulent years.
3. given to acts of violence and aggression: the turbulent young soldiers.
Origin:
1530–40; < L turbulentus restless, equiv. to turb(a) turmoil + -ulentus -ulent

Related forms:
tur⋅bu⋅lent⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. agitated, tumultuous, violent, tempestuous, disordered.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To turbulent
tur·bu·lent   (tûr'byə-lənt)   
adj.  

  1. Violently agitated or disturbed; tumultuous: turbulent rapids.

  2. Having a chaotic or restless character or tendency: a turbulent period in history.

  3. Causing unrest or disturbance; unruly: turbulent, revolutionary undercurrents.


[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin turbulentus, from turba, turmoil; see turbid.]
tur'bu·lent·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

turbulent 
1538, "disorderly, tumultuous, unruly" (of persons), from M.Fr. turbulent (12c.), from L. turbulentus "full of commotion, restless," from turba "turmoil, crowd" (see turbid). In ref. to weather, attested from 1573. Turbulence is first recorded 1598.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see turbulent on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way