different between squall vs squail

English

Etymology

From Middle English *squalen (not recorded) and squelen (“to cry, scream, squall”), from Old Norse skvala (“to cry out”), probably ultimately imitative with influence from squeal and bawl.

Cognate with Swedish skvala (“to gush, pour down”), Norwegian skval (“sudden rush of water”). The noun is probably from the verb.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?skw??l/
• Rhymes: -??l

Noun

squall (plural squalls)

1. (meteorology) A squall line, multicell line, or part of a squall line.
2. (often nautical) A sudden storm, as found in a squall line.
3. A loud cry or wail.

Translations

Verb

squall (third-person singular simple present squalls, present participle squalling, simple past and past participle squalled)

1. To cry or wail loudly.
   • 1883, Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island:

     Squalling was the word for it, Pew's anger rose so high at these objections; till at last, his passion completely taking the upper hand, he struck at them right and left in his blindness, and his stick sounded heavily on more than one.

   • 1916, Jack London, The Red One:

     Squalling like an infuriated cat, the shadow crashed down

   • 1934 George Orwell, Burmese Days:

     The orchestra burst into a sudden loud squalling."

   • 1998, Anne McCafferey, Masterharper of Pern:

     she wrapped the squalling, wriggling baby tightly into the fine cotton sheet

Derived terms

• squaller
• squally

Translations

Further reading

• Oxford English Dictionary, 1884–1928, and First Supplement, 1933.

English

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -e?l

Verb

squail (third-person singular simple present squails, present participle squailing, simple past and past participle squailed)

1. (intransitive, historical) To throw weighted sticks at small animals.
2. To throw anything about awkwardly or irregularly.
   • December 28 1821, Robert Southey, letter VIII - Recollections of Corston Continued

     The boys were employed also to squail at the bannets

Related terms

• squailer

Noun

squail (plural squails)

1. A disc or counter used in the game of squails.

Anagrams

• quails