Waterspout
waterspout (?), n. A remarkablemeteorological phenomenon, of the nature of a tornado or whirlwind, usually
observed over the sea, but sometimes over the land.
f Tall columns, apparently of cloud, and reaching from the sea to
the clouds, are seen moving along, often several at once, sometimes
straight and vertical, at other times inclined and tortuous, but always in
rapid rotation. At their bases, the sea is violently agitated and heaped up
with a leaping or boiling motion, water, at least in some cases, being
actually carried up in considerable quantity, and scattered round from a
great height, as solid bodies are by tornadoes on land. Sir J.
Herschel.
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