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Wind
Wind is the flow of gases on a large scale. On the surface of the Earth, wind consists of the bulk movement of air. In outer space, solar wind is the movement of gases or charged particles from the Sun through space, while planetary wind is the outgassing of light chemical elements from a planet’s atmosphere into space. Winds are commonly classified by their spatial scale, their speed, the types of forces that cause them, the regions in which they occur, and their effect. The strongest observed winds on a planet in the Solar System occur on Neptune and Saturn. Winds have various aspects, an important one being its velocity (wind speed); another the density of the gas involved; another its energy content or wind energy. Wind is also a great source of transportation for seeds and small birds; with time things can travel thousands of miles in the wind.
In meteorology, winds are often referred to according to their strength, and the direction from which the wind is blowing. Short bursts of high-speed wind are termed gusts. Strong winds of intermediate duration (around one minute) are termed squalls. Long-duration winds have various names associated with their average strength, such as breeze, gale, storm, and hurricane. Wind occurs on a range of scales, from thunderstorm flows lasting tens of minutes, to local breezes generated by heating of land surfaces and lasting a few hours, to global winds resulting from the difference in absorption of solar energy between the climate zones on Earth. The two main causes of large-scale atmospheric circulation are the differential heating between the equator and the poles, and the rotation of the planet (Coriolis effect). Within the tropics, thermal low circulations over terrain and high plateaus can drive monsoon circulations. In coastal areas the sea breeze/land breeze cycle can define local winds; in areas that have variable terrain, mountain and valley breezes can dominate local winds.
In human civilization, the concept of wind has been explored in mythology, influenced the events of history, expanded the range of transport and warfare, and provided a power source for mechanical work, electricity and recreation. Wind powers the voyages of sailing ships across Earth’s oceans. Hot air balloons use the wind to take short trips, and powered flight uses it to increase lift and reduce fuel consumption. Areas of wind shear caused by various weather phenomena can lead to dangerous situations for aircraft. When winds become strong, trees and human-made structures are damaged or destroyed.
Winds can shape landforms, via a variety of aeolian processes such as the formation of fertile soils, such as loess, and by erosion. Dust from large deserts can be moved great distances from its source region by the prevailing winds; winds that are accelerated by rough topography and associated with dust outbreaks have been assigned regional names in various parts of the world because of their significant effects on those regions. Wind also affects the spread of wildfires. Winds can disperse seeds from various plants, enabling the survival and dispersal of those plant species, as well as flying insect populations. When combined with cold temperatures, wind has a negative impact on livestock. Wind affects animals’ food stores, as well as their hunting and defensive strategies.
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Draft (noun)
The action or an act (especially of a beast of burden or vehicle) of pulling something along or back.
“using oxen for draft”
“shot forth an arrow with a mighty draft”
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Draft (noun)
The act of drawing in a net for fish.
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Draft (noun)
That which is drawn in; a catch, a haul.
“he cast his net, which brought him a very great draft”
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Draft (noun)
An early version of a written work (such as a book or e-mail) or drawing; a preliminary sketch or outline.
“I have to revise the first draft of my term paper.”
“His first drafts were better than most authors’ final products.”
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Draft (noun)
Depth of water needed to float a ship; depth below the water line to the bottom of a vessel’s hull; depth of water drawn by a vessel.
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Draft (noun)
A current of air, usually coming into a room or vehicle.
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Draft (noun)
Draw through a flue of gasses (smoke) resulting from a combustion process.
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Draft (noun)
An amount of liquid (such as water, alcohol, or medicine) that is drunk in one swallow.
“She took a deep draft from the bottle of water.”
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Draft (noun)
Beer drawn from a cask or keg rather than a bottle or can.
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Draft (noun)
A cheque, an order for money to be paid.
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Draft (noun)
Conscription, the system of forcing people to serve in the military.
“He left the country to avoid the draft.”
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Draft (noun)
A system of forcing or convincing people to take an elected position.
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Draft (noun)
A system of assigning rookie players to professional sports teams.
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Draft (noun)
The pulling force (tension) on couplers and draft gear during a slack stretched condition.
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Draft (noun)
The bevel given to the pattern for a casting, so that it can be drawn from the sand without damaging the mould.
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Draft (verb)
To write a first version, make a preliminary sketch.
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Draft (verb)
To draw in outline; to make a draught, sketch, or plan of, as in architectural and mechanical drawing.
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Draft (verb)
To write a law.
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Draft (verb)
To conscript a person, force a person to serve in some capacity, especially in the military.
“He was drafted during the Vietnam War.”
“There was a campaign to draft Smith to run for President.”
“They drafted me to be the chairperson of the new committee.”
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Draft (verb)
To select and separate an animal or animals from a group.
“The calves were drafted from the cows.”
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Draft (verb)
To select a rookie player onto a professional sports team.
“After his last year of college football, he was drafted by the Miami Dolphins.”
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Draft (verb)
To follow very closely behind another vehicle, thereby providing an aerodynamic advantage to both lead and follower, thereby conserving energy or increasing speed.
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Draft (verb)
To draw out; to call forth.
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Draft (verb)
To draw fibers out of a clump, for spinning in the production of yarn.
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Draft (adjective)
Referring to drinks on tap, in contrast to bottled.
“I’d rather have a fresh, cheap draft beer.”
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Wind (noun)
Real or perceived movement of atmospheric air usually caused by convection or differences in air pressure.
“The wind blew through her hair as she stood on the deck of the ship.”
“As they accelerated onto the motorway, the wind tore the plywood off the car’s roof-rack.”
“The winds in Chicago are fierce.”
“There was a sudden l|en|gust of wind.”
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Wind (noun)
Air artificially put in motion by any force or action.
“the wind of a cannon ball;”
“the wind of a bellows”
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Wind (noun)
The ability to breathe easily.
“After the second lap he was already out of wind.”
“The fall knocked the wind out of him.”
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Wind (noun)
News of an event, especially by hearsay or gossip. (Used with catch, often in the past tense.)
“Steve caught wind of Martha’s dalliance with his best friend.”
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Wind (noun)
One of the five basic elements (see Wikipedia article on the Classical elements).
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Wind (noun)
Flatus.
“Eww. Someone just passed wind.”
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Wind (noun)
Breath modulated by the respiratory and vocal organs, or by an instrument.
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Wind (noun)
The woodwind section of an orchestra. Occasionally also used to include the brass section.
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Wind (noun)
A direction from which the wind may blow; a point of the compass; especially, one of the cardinal points, which are often called the “four winds”.
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Wind (noun)
Types of playing-tile in the game of mah-jongg, named after the four winds.
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Wind (noun)
A disease of sheep, in which the intestines are distended with air, or rather affected with a violent inflammation. It occurs immediately after shearing.
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Wind (noun)
Mere breath or talk; empty effort; idle words.
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Wind (noun)
A bird, the dotterel.
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Wind (noun)
The region of the solar plexus, where a blow may paralyze the diaphragm and cause temporary loss of breath or other injury.
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Wind (noun)
The act of winding or turning; a turn; a bend; a twist.
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Wind (verb)
To blow air through a wind instrument or horn to make a sound.
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Wind (verb)
To cause (someone) to become breathless, often by a blow to the abdomen.
“The boxer was winded during round two.”
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Wind (verb)
To exhaust oneself to the point of being short of breath.
“I can’t run another step — I’m winded.”
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Wind (verb)
To turn a boat or ship around, so that the wind strikes it on the opposite side.
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Wind (verb)
To expose to the wind; to winnow; to ventilate.
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Wind (verb)
To perceive or follow by scent.
“The hounds winded the game.”
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Wind (verb)
To rest (a horse, etc.) in order to allow the breath to be recovered; to breathe.
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Wind (verb)
To turn a windmill so that its sails face into the wind.
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Wind (verb)
To turn coils of (a cord or something similar) around something.
“to wind thread on a spool or into a ball”
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Wind (verb)
To tighten the spring of a clockwork mechanism such as that of a clock.
“Please wind that old-fashioned alarm clock.”
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Wind (verb)
To entwist; to enfold; to encircle.
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Wind (verb)
To travel, or to cause something to travel, in a way that is not straight.
“Vines wind round a pole.”
“The river winds through the plain.”
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Wind (verb)
To have complete control over; to turn and bend at one’s pleasure; to vary or alter or will; to regulate; to govern.
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Wind (verb)
To introduce by insinuation; to insinuate.
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Wind (verb)
To cover or surround with something coiled about.
“to wind a rope with twine”
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Wind (verb)
To make a winding motion.