Gale (gāl), n. [Prob. of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. gal furious, Icel. galinn, cf. Icel. gala to sing, AS. galan to sing, Icel. galdr song, witchcraft, AS. galdor charm, sorcery, E. nightingale; also, Icel. gjōla gust of wind, gola breeze. Cf. Yell.] 1. A strong current of air; a wind between a stiff breeze and a hurricane. The most violent gales are called tempests.
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&hand_; Gales have a velocity of from about eighteen (“moderate”) to about eighty (“very heavy”) miles an our. Sir. W. S. Harris.
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2. A moderate current of air; a breeze.
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A little gale will soon disperse that cloud. Shak.
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And winds of gentlest gale Arabian odors fanned
From their soft wings. Milton.
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3. A state of excitement, passion, or hilarity.
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The ladies, laughing heartily, were fast getting into what, in New England, is sometimes called a gale. Brooke (Eastford).
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Topgallant gale (Naut.), one in which a ship may carry her topgallant sails.
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Gale, n. [OE. gal. See Gale wind.] A song or story. [Obs.] Toone.
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Gale, n. [AS. gagel, akin to D. gagel.] (Bot.) A plant of the genus Myrica, growing in wet places, and strongly resembling the bayberry. The sweet gale (Myrica Gale) is found both in Europe and in America.
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