Cyclone
/ˈsaɪ.kloʊn/noun
A large, rapidly rotating storm system or a violently whirling mass of air.
Did you know?The word was coined in the 19th century by Henry Piddington from Greek kyklōn, linked to kyklos, “circle,” the same ancient root behind words for wheels and cycles.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
kyklos
“circle, wheel”
Ancient Greek
Greek
kykloun
“to move in a circle, revolve”
1830s
English
cyclone
“a whirling storm; a rotating wind system”
Modern English
English
cyclone
“a large rotating storm system”