tempestuous, a.
(tɛmˈpɛstjuːəs)
Forms: α. 5 tempesteuous (? = -evous), 6 -eous, -yous, 6–8 -ious; β. 6 -uouse, -uus, 6– tempestuous.
[In the βform, ad. L. tempestuōs-us: cf. tempestu-s, collateral form of tempestās tempest; so obs. F. tempestueus, -uos (14th c.), mod.F. tempêtueux = Pr. tempestuos, Sp., Pg. tempestuoso. The αforms appear to be analogical, after other adjs. in -eous, -ious, of various etymology.]
1. Of, pertaining to, involving, or resembling a tempest; subject to or characterized by tempests; stormy, very rough or violent.
| α 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas. xxxvii. (Percy Soc.) 194 It thondred loude wyth clappes tempestious. a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. IV 18 b, A great tempesteous rage and furious storme. 1592 Moryson Let. in Itin. i. (1617) 37 The weather was very tempestious, and not likely to change. |
| β 1538 Starkey England i. ii. 61 The trowblus and tempestuus see. 1538 Elyot, Tempestuosum, tempestuous or stormy. 1610 Holland Camden's Brit. (1637) 501 A turbulent and tempestuous storme arose. 1639–40 Laud Diary 25 Jan., A very blustering and a tempestuous day. 1799 Ht. Lee Canterb. T., Old Wom. (ed. 2) I. 348 The weather grew lowering and tempestuous. 1878 R. B. Smith Carthage 121 The dangerous storms to which the south of Sicily was exposed after the rising of the tempestuous Orion. |
2. transf. and
fig. Characterized by violent agitation or commotion; turbulent, tumultuous; impetuous, passionate; agitated as by a tempest.
| α 1447 [implied in tempesteuously: see next]. 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas. xxvii. (Percy Soc.) 120 O Mars! me succoure in tyme tempestyous. Ibid. xxxiv. 177 So shall you swage the tempesteous floode Of their stormy myndes. a 1586 Sidney Ps. xxxi. xi, In that tempestious hast, I said, that I from out thy sight was cast. 1710 Brit. Apollo III. No. 25. 3/1 Tempestious Ills, in wild Confusion hurl'd. |
| β 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas. xxxiii. (Percy Soc.) 169 To the last ende of my matter troublous, With waves enclosed so tempestuous. 1648 Herrick Hesper., Delight in Disorder, A winning wave (deserving note) In the tempestuous petticote. 1653 R. Sanders Physiogn., Moles 21 The tempestuous persecutions of her own kindred. 1663 Davenant Siege of Rhodes Wks. (1672) 2 The Shriller Trumpet and Tempestuous Drum. 1782 F. Burney Cecilia viii. iv, Cecilia was still in this tempestuous state. 1865 Swinburne Atalanta 1016 Fill the dance up with tempestuous feet. |