gust

plural gusts

1. A strong, abrupt rush of wind.

   The maximum sustained winds recorded at Waglan Island, Tate’s Cairn and Cheung Chau Beach were 113, 101 and 97 kmh (70, 62, 60 mph) respectively, with maximum gusts 135, 154 and 130 kmh (84, 96, 81 mph)

   2017 August 26, Anne Marie Roantree, Venus Wu, “Battered Hong Kong and Macau brace for Pakhar, more flooding”, in Andrew Hay, editor, Reuters, archived from the original on 05 Aug 2023, COMMODITIES NEWS

   Synonyms: windflaw

2. broadlyAny rush or outburst (of water, emotion, etc.).

   they are merely driven about by every sudden gust and impulse of the mind

   1609 (revised 1625), Francis Bacon, De Sapientia Veterum ('Wisdom of the Ancients')

   1 more example

   The author is not speaking now of actual love-makings, of intrigues and devilish villany, either perpetrated or imagined; but rather of those passing gusts of short-lived and unfounded suspicion to which, as to other accidents, very well-regulated families may occasionally be liable.

   1869 May, Anthony Trollope, “Hard Words”, in He Knew He Was Right, volume I, London: Strahan and Company, […], →OCLC, page 73

present singular third person gusts · participle present gusting · participle past gusted · past gusted

1. intransitivetransitiveTo blow in gusts.

   Conditions on Snowdon had been dry, but gusting winds had made walking difficult.

   2022 July 13, Paul Bigland, “Charity walkers are high and mighty...”, in RAIL, number 961, page 45

   2 more examples

   Do the dryers disperse bacteria and viruses through the restroom, like autumn breezes gusting leaves across a lawn?

   2019 April 25, Samanth Subramanian, “Hand dryers v paper towels: the surprisingly dirty fight for the right to dry your hands”, in The Guardian

   The wind was gusting, and the paper targets on the haybales were rippling, and I looked up at the sibling-suns with gratitude for this—this empty archery field.

   2023, Dave Eggers, illustrated by Shawn Harris, The Eyes and the Impossible, page 197

1. archaicuncountableThe physiological faculty of taste.
2. uncountableRelish, enjoyment, appreciation.

   , "The Spirit of Grace" An ox will relish the tender flesh of kids with as much gust and appetite.

   2 more examples

   Destroy all creatures for thy sport or gust.

   1733, [Alexander Pope], An Essay on Man. […], (please specify |epistle=I to IV), London: […] J[ohn] Wilford, […], →OCLC

   1942: ‘Yes, indeed,’ said Sava with solemn gust. — Rebecca West, Black Lamb and Grey Falcon (Canongate 2006, p. 1050)

3. uncountableIntellectual taste; fancy.

   A choice of it may be made according to the gust and manner of the ancients.

   1695, C[harles] A[lphonse] du Fresnoy, translated by John Dryden, De Arte Graphica. The Art of Painting, […], London: […] J[ohn] Heptinstall for W. Rogers, […], →OCLC

present singular third person gusts · participle present gusting · participle past gusted · past gusted

1. obsoletetransitiveTo taste.
2. obsoletetransitiveTo have a relish for.

plural Gusts

1. A surname.