blusterous

comparative more blusterous · superlative most blusterous · alternative blustrous

1. Tending to bluster.
   1. Blowing in loud and abrupt bursts.

      […] wee see a strong and sturdie Oke to stande stiffe and immo∣uable against the blustrous blastes of fierce windes […]

      1579, Thomas Salter, A Mirrhor Mete for All Mothers, Matrones, and Maidens, intituled The Mirrhor of Modestie, London: Edward White

      2 more examples

      These Sunday-morning hair-cuttings were performed by Fairway; the victim sitting on a chopping-block in front of the house […]. Summer and winter the scene was the same, unless the wind were more than usually blusterous, when the stool was shifted a few feet round the corner.

      1878 January–December, Thomas Hardy, chapter I, in The Return of the Native […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], published 1878, →OCLC

      They had had an afternoon of blusterous tramontana, continually changing direction and force, and exploding the light snowfalls with mischievous gusts.

      1982, Lawrence Durrell, chapter 8, in Constance, New York: Viking, page 250

      Synonyms: blustery, gusty

   2. Accompanied by strong wind.

      For lo! the wind was blusterous / And flattened out his favourite tree; / And things looked bad for him and we— […]

      1928 October 11, A[lan] A[lexander] Milne, “In which Eeyore Finds the Wolery and Owl Moves into It”, in The House at Pooh Corner, London: Methuen & Co. […], →OCLC, page 147

      1 more example

      [I]t seemed entirely right and fitting that the wind sang and sobbed in the poplar tops, and in the lulls of it, sudden spirts of rain spattered the already dusty roads, on that blusterous March day when Edward and I awaited, on the station platform, the arrival of the new tutor.

      1895, Kenneth Grahame, “The Blue Room”, in The Golden Age, London: John Lane, published 1904, page 205

      Synonyms: blowy, blustery, breezy, squally, stormy, tempestuous, windy

   3. Pompous or arrogant, especially in one's speech; given to outbursts.

      Thomas Batchgrew’s blusterous voice frankly showed acute irritation.

      1914, Arnold Bennett, The Price of Love, Chapter 5, Part 5

      2 more examples

      The antient Heroes were illustrious / For being benigne, and not blustrous, / Against a vanquisht foe: […]

      1662 (indicated as 1663), [Samuel Butler], Hudibras. The First Part. […], London: […] J. G. for Richard Marriot, […], →OCLC, page 107

      The blustrous Bounderby crimsoned and swelled to such an extent on hearing these words, that he seemed to be, and probably was, on the brink of a fit.

      1854, Charles Dickens, chapter III, in Hard Times. For These Times, London: Bradbury & Evans, […], →OCLC

      Synonyms: blustering, blustery, swaggering

   4. Characterized by strong or violent emotion; not calm, stable or orderly.

      1906, Evelyn Beatrice Hall (as S. G. Tallentyre), The Friends of Voltaire, London: John Murray, Chapter 4, p. 98, Victor had already plunged into that blusterous, incontinent life which was to bring ruin to his own family […]

      1 more example

      Now, mild may be thy life! / For a more blustrous birth had never babe: / Quiet and gentle thy conditions! for / Thou art the rudeliest welcome to this world / That ever was prince's child. Happy what follows!

      c. 1607–1608 (date written), William Shakespeare, [George Wilkins?], The Late, and Much Admired Play, Called Pericles, Prince of Tyre. […], London: […] [William White and Thomas Creede] for Henry Gosson, […], published 1609, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]

      Synonyms: stormy, tempestuous, turbulent