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cyclone

cyclone, hurricane

noun see-KLON Rare
Animals & Nature Weather

Origin: From Greek 'kyklon' (whirling).

Usage Note

Cyclone is the general French term for a large tropical rotating storm system; the specific term used depends on geography — ouragan is used in the Atlantic, typhon in the Pacific, and cyclone in the Indian Ocean. Figuratively, un cyclone can describe an extremely energetic or turbulent person or event. The adjective cyclonique appears in meteorological forecasts.

Examples

"Un cyclone violent a frappé les îles cette nuit."

Natural Translation

A violent cyclone struck the islands last night.

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