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.
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
- zeolitized, adj.1888–
- Zephiran, n.1935–
- Zéphirine Drouhin, n.1901–
- zephyr, n.Old English–
- zephyr, v.1829–
- zephyranth, n.1845–
- zephyranthes, n.1821–
- zephyrean, adj.1793–
- zephyret, n.1777–1881
- zephyr flower, n.?1829–
- zephyr-gale, n.1596–1901
- zephyrian, adj.1661–
- zephyrine, adj. & n.1819–
- zephyring, adj.1821–
- zephyrless, adj.a1821–
- zephyr-like, adv. & adj.1765–
- zephyr lily, n.?1877–
- zephyrous, adj.a1750–
- zephyry, adj.1791–
- Zepp, n.1914–
- Zepp, v.1914–
1596–1901
A zephyr; a west wind; a gentle breeze; cf.
gale n.3 1b.
1596
A suddaine Zephire-gale blew from the steeple Sollicting our eyes supernally.
A. Copley, Fig for Fortune 82
1650
A favourable Zephir gale..did most pleasantly reconduct them in safety to their own Kingdoms.
J. Reynolds, Flower of Fidelitie 187
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
1872
The zephyr gale—that there so gently blew.
J. Parminter, Poems 8
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
A gentle breeze, a zephyr.
A gentle breeze; a light movement of the air; a puff. Now chiefly in a breath of wind or a breath of air.
Air in motion; a current or draught of air; (esp. in the context of sailing) a breeze, a light wind.
A moderate wind; spec. a wind of a specified force (see quot. 1867).
A gentle, mild wind or breeze.
A wind occurring in the spring, esp. one that is warm, soft, or fresh.
A zephyr; a west wind; a gentle breeze; cf. gale, n.³ 1b.
Scottish. A gentle breeze; a light wind; = pirr, n.¹ Frequently with of.
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…
A light wind; Meteorology a wind of force 3 on the Beaufort scale (7–10 knots or 12–19 mph).
Scottish. A gentle breeze; a light wind. Frequently with of. Also in figurative context.
poetic and in rhetorical language often used for: A gentle breeze.
A gentle zephyr; a light breeze. Also in extended use.
Nautical. A slight breeze.
Originally published as part of the entry for zephyr, n.
zephyr-gale, n. was first published in 2018.
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