Word of the Week for the week of December 18, 2016

Derecho

[duh-RAY-cho]

Meaning & Usage

noun a widespread, long-lived, straight-line windstorm that is associated with a land-based, fast-moving group of severe thunderstorms; a straight-line tornado.

I do know that we had to install a whole-house backup generator just in case our power grid takes a hit, like it did when a derecho tore through Washington a couple summers ago, toppling one ancient maple tree onto our roof and tearing out power lines for weeks.

Origin

From American Spanish derecho, from Old Spanish diestro, from Latin directus.

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