gust
UK[ɡʌst]US[ɡʌst]
n
A sudden, strong rush of wind.
n
A sudden, brief burst or surge of something, such as rain, emotion, or sound.
Etymology
The word 'gust' entered English from the Old Norse 'gustr', meaning a cold blast of wind. This Norse term is believed to be related to the Old Norse verb 'gjósa', meaning 'to gush' or 'to spurt'. The core logic of the word has remained remarkably consistent from its ancient origins to its modern usage, always centered on the concept of a sudden, forceful outpouring. This semantic thread connects the literal idea of a gushing fluid to the more abstract but equally sudden and forceful rush of wind or emotion we describe today.
Analysis
The word 'gust' is a simplex word of Old Norse origin. It does not contain separable morphemes in modern English.
Examples
A sudden gust of wind scattered the papers across the lawn.
She felt a gust of anger when she heard the news.
The microphone picked up a gust of laughter from the audience.