Cyclone

Pronunciation

Origin

Coined by Henry Piddington, probably in the 1840s, and based on some term in Ancient Greek. Sources disagree on the date and on which Ancient Greek term, though it had to be something derived from either κύκλος (kuklos, "circle, wheel") or κυκλόω (kukloō, "go around in a circle, form a circle, encircle").

Full definition of cyclone

Noun

1. A system of winds rotating around a center of low atmospheric pressure.
2. A low pressure system.
3. (popular) The more or less violent, small-scale circulations such as tornadoes, waterspouts, and dust devils.
4. A strong wind.
5. A Southeastern and Indian Ocean weather phenomenon that results in wind speeds of around 150 to 200 km/h.

Derived terms

• anticyclone