cyclone

The origin and history of cyclone.

Etymology

Coined in the 1840s, probably by meteorologist Henry Piddington, from an Ancient Greek root related to kuklos ("circle") or kukloo ("to encircle") — the same family as "cycle" and "wheel."

Origin: Ancient Greek · First attested 1840

Class of 1840

cyclone first entered the language around 1840. Other words from the same year:

bender harmonium kindergarten ovarian ozone physicist Thelma

See the full Class of 1840 →

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