hurricane tufand (#) Fr.: ouragan An intense warm-core oceanic cyclone that originates in tropical latitudes; called a typhoon in the western Pacific Ocean. Sustained winds are 120 km per hr or higher. Hurricane, from Sp. huracán, from Taino (the language of an extinct Arawakan Indian tribe of the West Indies) hurakán. Tufand, from tufidan "to roar, to raise a tumult," tufân "storm, the roaring of the sea, the confused hum of men or animals." Is this Persian word related to Gk. typhon "whirlwind," personified as a giant, father of the winds? |