Turbulent
/ˈtɜːr.bjʊ.lənt/noun
Characterized by disorder, conflict, or violent motion.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Latin turba, meaning a crowd or disturbance, so its oldest sense is less “weather report” and more “a mob in motion.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*twer- / *tur-
“to turn, twist, or whirl”
Latin
Latin
turba
“a crowd, uproar, or disturbance”
Latin
Latin
turbulēns
“full of commotion; stormy; disturbed”
Old French
Old French
turbulent
“stormy, agitated, disorderly”
Late Middle English
English
turbulent
“troubled, stormy, in disorder”
Modern English
English
turbulent
“characterized by unrest, violence, or rough air or water”