Gale-Force
/ˈɡeɪl fɔːrs/noun
A wind of great speed or strength, especially one reaching the lower end of storm force on the Beaufort scale.
Did you know?The first element, *gale*, ultimately comes from a Germanic word for a strong wind, while *force* comes from Latin *fortis* meaning “strong,” so the phrase is basically a doubled-up blast of strength.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*galwō / *gailwō
“a strong wind or stormy blast”
Old English
OE
galan
“to sing, cry out, or wail; later associated with harsh sound and stormy noise”
Latin
Latin
fortis
“strong, brave, powerful”
Old French
OF
force
“strength, power, violence”
Middle English
English
gale
“a strong wind, often a storm wind”
Modern English
English
gale-force
“describing winds of great strength”