The Greek roots of the word 'typhoon'

'Typhoon' is a word borrowed from Greek 'tuphōn'. The word entered the English language some time around 1771.

typhoon [noun] [1771]

• a hurricane occurring especially in the region of the Philippines or the China sea
• whirlwind

Meaning: a hurricane occurring especially in the region of the Philippines or the China sea; whirlwind 2a a typhoon of activity.

Etymology: alteration (influenced by Chinese Guangdong daaih-fuung; from daaih big + fuung wind) of earlier touffon; from Arabic tufan hurricane; from Greek typhon violent storm.

Topics: Weather.

Origin: From Greek to English.

See 'typhoon' on the Loan Words Map

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See more loan words from 1700s.