zephyr-gale, n.

zephyr-gale
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zephyr-gale_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
First published 2018

# † zephyr-galenoun

## Factsheet

### What does the noun zephyr-gale mean?

There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun zephyr-gale. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.

This word is now obsolete. It is last recorded around the 1900s.

### Where does the noun zephyr-gale come from?

Earliest known use

late 1500s

The earliest known use of the noun zephyr-gale is in the late 1500s.

OED's earliest evidence for zephyr-gale is from 1596, in the writing of Anthony Copley, writer and conspirator.

### Nearby entries

1. zeolitized, adj. 1888–
2. Zephiran, n. 1935–
3. Zéphirine Drouhin, n. 1901–
4. zephyr, n. Old English–
5. zephyr, v. 1829–
6. zephyranth, n. 1845–
7. zephyranthes, n. 1821–
8. zephyrean, adj. 1793–
9. zephyret, n. 1777–1881
10. zephyr flower, n.?1829–
11. zephyr-gale, n.1596–1901
12. zephyrian, adj. 1661–
13. zephyrine, adj. & n. 1819–
14. zephyring, adj. 1821–
15. zephyrless, adj. a1821–
16. zephyr-like, adv. & adj. 1765–
17. zephyr lily, n.?1877–
18. zephyrous, adj. a1750–
19. zephyry, adj. 1791–
20. Zepp, n. 1914–
21. Zepp, v. 1914–

## Meaning & use

Chiefly poetic Obsolete.

1. 1596–1901
   A zephyr; a west wind; a gentle breeze; cf. gale n.3 1b.
   1. 1596

      > A suddaine Zephire-gale blew from the steeple Sollicting our eyes supernally.

      A. Copley, Fig for Fortune 82
   2. 1650

      > A favourable Zephir gale..did most pleasantly reconduct them in safety to their own Kingdoms.

      J. Reynolds, Flower of Fidelitie 187
   3. 1763

      > Young Echo pours her new-taught lesson round; Which corresponding with the Zephyr gale, Speaks inexpressive thro' th' adjacent vale.

      W. Perfect, Bavin of Bays 54
   4. 1872

      > The zephyr gale—that there so gently blew.

      J. Parminter, Poems 8
   5. 1901

      > The melodious swan strikes up no piping strain such as the zephyr-gale gives forth from its tuneful wings.

      J. W. McCrindle, translation of Nonnus, Dionysiaca in Ancient India in Classical Literature vi. 148
   weather poetic and literary
   1. aura a1398–
      A gentle breeze, a zephyr.
   2. breath c1400–
      A gentle breeze; a light movement of the air; a puff. Now chiefly in a breath of wind or a breath of air.
   3. air 1535–
      Air in motion; a current or draught of air; (esp. in the context of sailing) a breeze, a light wind.
   4. gentle gale 1567–
      A moderate wind; spec. a wind of a specified force (see quot. 1867).
   5. zephyr 1567–
      A gentle, mild wind or breeze.
   6. spring wind 1592–
      A wind occurring in the spring, esp. one that is warm, soft, or fresh.
   7. zephyr-gale 1596–1901
      A zephyr; a west wind; a gentle breeze; cf. gale, n.³ 1b.
   8. pirrie a1614–
      Scottish. A gentle breeze; a light wind; = pirr, n.¹ Frequently with of.
   9. breeze 1626–
      A gentle or light wind: a breeze is generally understood to be a lighter current of air than a wind, as a wind is lighter than a gale. ‘Among…
   10. gentle breeze 1635–
       A light wind; Meteorology a wind of force 3 on the Beaufort scale (7–10 knots or 12–19 mph).
   11. pirr a1722–
       Scottish. A gentle breeze; a light wind. Frequently with of. Also in figurative context.
   12. gale 1728–
       poetic and in rhetorical language often used for: A gentle breeze.
   13. zephyret 1777–1881
       A gentle zephyr; a light breeze. Also in extended use.
   14. lady's wind 1886–
       A gentle breeze.
   15. spill 1899–
       Nautical. A slight breeze.
   View in Historical Thesaurus

Originally published as part of the entry for zephyr, n.

zephyr-gale, n. was first published in 2018.