Hur"ri*cane (?), n. [Sp. hurracan; orig. a Carib word signifying, a high wind.]
A violent storm, characterized by extreme fury and sudden changes of the wind, and generally accompanied by rain, thunder, and lightning; -- especially prevalent in the East and West Indies. Also used figuratively.
Like the smoke in a hurricane whirl'd.
Tennyson.
Each guilty thought to me is
A dreadful hurricane.
Massinger.
Hurricane bird Zool., the frigate bird. -- Hurricane deck. Naut. See under Deck.
© Webster 1913.