Emily Dickinson Lexicon

TEM'PEST, n. [Fr. tempête; L. tempestas; Sp. tempestad; It. tempesta; from L. tempus, time, season. The primary sense of tempus, time, is a falling, or that which falls, comes or happens, from some verb which signifies to fall or come suddenly, or rather to drive, to rush. Time is properly a coming, a season, that which presents itself, or is present. The sense of tempest, is from the sense of rushing or driving. See Temerity and Temerarious.]

1. An extensive current of wind, rushing with great velocity and violence; a storm of extreme violence. We usually apply the word to a steady wind of long continuance; but we say also of a tornado, it blew a tempest. The currents of wind are named, according to their respective degrees of force or rapidity, a breeze, a gale, a storm, a tempest; but gale is also used as synonymous with storm, and storm with tempest. Gust is usually applied to a sudden blast of short duration. A tempest may or may not be attended with rain, snow or hail We, caught in a fiery tempest, shall be hurl'd / Each on his rock transfixed. Milton.
2. A violent tumult or commotion; as, a popular or political tempest; the tempest of war.
3. Perturbation; violent agitation; as, a tempest of the passions.