hurricane
UK: ˈhʌr.ɪ.kən | US: ˈhɝː.ɪ.keɪn
n. a violent tropical storm with strong winds and heavy rain
n. (figurative) something characterized by sudden, forceful action or emotion
hurricane = hurric<wind> + ane<noun suffix>
- hurric<wind>: Derived from Spanish huracán, which originates from the Taíno (Caribbean indigenous) word hurakán, meaning "storm" or "god of the storm."
- ane<noun suffix>: A nominalizing suffix in English, often used to form nouns from foreign loanwords.
Etymology Origin:
The word hurricane traces back to the Taíno people of the Caribbean, whose term hurakán referred to both storms and a storm deity. Spanish colonizers adopted the word as huracán, which later entered English in the 16th century. The spelling evolved to align with English phonetics, while retaining its core meaning of a powerful tropical storm. The word’s journey reflects cultural exchange during the Age of Exploration.
The hurricane caused widespread damage along the coast.
Residents evacuated before the hurricane made landfall.
Her anger hit him like a hurricane, leaving no room for argument.
Scientists study hurricane patterns to improve early warning systems.
The small island is vulnerable to hurricanes during the summer months.