Derecho
/dəˈreɪtʃoʊ/noun
A widespread, long-lived windstorm associated with a band of rapidly moving thunderstorms.
Did you know?The meteorological sense was coined in 1888 by American scientist Gustavus Hinrichs, who chose the Spanish word derecho because these winds travel in a notably straight line rather than spiraling like tornadoes.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*reg-
“To move in a straight line, direct, or rule”
Classical Latin
Latin
dīrigere
“To guide straight, direct, or set in a particular direction”
Classical Latin
Latin
directus
“Straight, direct, or aligned”
Medieval Spanish
Old Spanish
derecho
“Straight, right, correct, or just”
1888
English
derecho
“A term introduced for a widespread, straight-line windstorm”
Modern English
English
derecho
“A large, fast-moving convective windstorm producing extensive straight-line damage”