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.
☞ Gales have a velocity of from about eighteen (“moderate”) to about eighty (“very heavy”) miles an our. Sir. W. S. Harris.
2. A moderate current of air; a breeze.
A little gale will soon disperse that cloud. Shak.
And winds of gentlest gale Arabian odors fanned
From their soft wings. Milton.
3. A state of excitement, passion, or hilarity.
The ladies, laughing heartily, were fast getting into what, in New England, is sometimes called a gale. Brooke (Eastford).
Topgallant gale(Naut.), one in which a ship may carry her topgallant sails.