dust devil
3
6.3
- noun
- /dʌst ˈdɛvəl/
:
diablo de polvo
- His discovery marked the first time dust devils were sighted from the Martian surface.
- dust devil formation
- Martian dust devil
- five dust devils
Examples
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To meteorologists, dust devils sometimes signal that conditions are right for dust storms.
Academic text (2002) -
In defense of this claim, let's discuss the physics of dust devil formation.
Academic text (2000) -
No fewer than seven dust devils are visible in one of these images.
Academic text (2000) -
A total of five different dust devils were ultimately identified in Pathfinder images.
Academic text (2000) -
Moreover, certain desert surfaces, desert pavement in particular, may be the direct result of dust devil activity.
Academic text (2000) -
One hour's observation southeast of Ely, Nevada, in summer 1998, recorded ten dust devils.
Academic text (2000) -
Mars Global Surveyor imaged seven dust devils in June 1999.
Academic text (2000) -
The vast emptiness stretched away from him into a vague horizon; pale dust devils twisted in the distance.
Fiction book (1993) -
Dynamic surface processes, such as dust devils, could not be imaged with sufficient resolution by the Viking landers.
Academic text (2000) -
While hiking in the desert, we came across a dust devil swirling up debris and leaves.
How Strong
Surface Forms
Morphology
dust + devil
The component 'dust' clearly signals the involvement of loose particles, and 'devil' functions metaphorically to suggest a small, lively or troublesome phenomenon. However, the specific sense 'a small, rapidly rotating column of air' (a meteorological vortex) is not directly predictable from the parts alone, so learners may guess something dust-related but not the precise physical process.
Etymology
Dust devil comes from watching a small, spinning whirl of air lift dust and leaves into the sky. Because it looks like a naughty little devil that stirs up trouble, the phrase now means a small whirlwind that picks up dust.