Typhoon
/taɪˈfuːn/noun
A tropical cyclone or violent storm in the region of the Indian or western Pacific oceans.
Did you know?The word 'typhoon' has roots in the Greek 'typhon', the name of a monstrous storm deity, linking it to ancient chaos and destruction.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*tḱei-
“to swell or be hot, suggesting the intensity of storms.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
τυφῶν (typhōn)
“A giant or monstrous being associated with storms and chaos.”
Middle Chinese
MC
台风 (tái fēng)
“Platform wind, referring to the strength and severity of the storm.”
17th Century
English
typhoon
“Adopted from Chinese or Arabic, used to describe violent storms in the East.”
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