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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Gale \Gale\, n. [OE. gal. See {Gale} wind.]
A song or story. [Obs.] --Toone.
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Gale \Gale\, v. i. [AS. galan. See 1st {Gale}.]
To sing. [Obs.] "Can he cry and gale." --Court of Love.
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Gale \Gale\ (g[=a]l), n. [Prob. of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. gal
furious, Icel. galinn, cf. Icel. gala to sing, AS. galan to
sing, Icel. galdr song, witchcraft, AS. galdor charm,
sorcery, E. nightingale; also, Icel. gj[=o]la gust of wind,
gola breeze. Cf. {Yell}.]
1. A strong current of air; a wind between a stiff breeze and
a hurricane. The most violent gales are called {tempests}.
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Note: Gales have a velocity of from about eighteen
("moderate") to about eighty ("very heavy") miles an
our. --Sir. W. S. Harris.
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2. A moderate current of air; a breeze.
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A little gale will soon disperse that cloud. --Shak.
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And winds of gentlest gale Arabian odors fanned
From their soft wings. --Milton.
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3. A state of excitement, passion, or hilarity.
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The ladies, laughing heartily, were fast getting
into what, in New England, is sometimes called a
gale. --Brooke
(Eastford).
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{Topgallant gale} (Naut.), one in which a ship may carry her
topgallant sails.
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Gale \Gale\, n. [AS. gagel, akin to D. gagel.] (Bot.)
A plant of the genus {Myrica}, growing in wet places, and
strongly resembling the bayberry. The sweet gale ({Myrica
Gale}) is found both in Europe and in America.
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Gale \Gale\, n. [Cf. {Gabel}.]
The payment of a rent or annuity. [Eng.] --Mozley & W.
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{Gale day}, the day on which rent or interest is due.
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Gale \Gale\, v. i. (Naut.)
To sale, or sail fast.
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