Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tempestās | feminine | |
| procella | [prɔˈkɛl.la] (Classical Latin, narrow) [proˈt͡ʃɛl.la] (narrow) |
feminine |
In Latin, the term for a storm refers to a disturbed state of the atmosphere that causes destructive or unpleasant weather. While both tempestās and procella can be used, they carry different nuances. A common way to describe a particularly fierce or violent storm is to use the adjective ferōx with tempestās, forming the phrase tempestās ferōx. Additionally, if you are referring specifically to a thunderstorm and the associated thunderbolts, the term fulminatio may be used in an Old Roman context.
Which one should you use?
tempestās often refers to a more sustained, violent or large-scale atmospheric disturbance. In contrast, procella often implies a sudden, violent gust or a more localized, rapid onset of wind and rain.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word procella is a feminine noun. Its plural form is procellae.
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'storm' for both literal weather and metaphorical human emotions, a Roman might use tempestās to describe a person's violent or turbulent temperament.
- The English word 'tempest' is a direct descendant of tempestās, though it is now used almost exclusively for literary or violent storms.
- The root of procella is connected to the Proto-Indo-European word for 'beating', suggesting that ancient speakers perceived storms as something that actively strikes the earth.
Examples in context
- Magna arbor in procella cecidit.A big tree fell in the storm.This sentence shows the effect of a storm on a tree using procella.Tatoeba #8455730 by alexmarcelo, translation #275539 by CK
- Procella sternit arbores.A storm throws down trees.This sentence illustrates how a storm can throw down trees using procella.Tatoeba #7304334 by jimkillock, translation #7304338 by jimkillock
- quoniam spes impii tamquam lanugo est quae a vento tollitur, et tamquam spuma gracilis quae a procella dispergitur, et tamquam fumus qui a vento diffusus est, et tamquam memoria hospitis unius diei praetereuntis.For the hope of the wicked is as dust, which is blown away with the wind, and as a thin froth which is dispersed by the storm: and a smoke that is scattered abroad by the wind: and as the remembrance of a guest of one day that passeth by.This sentence uses procella as a simile to describe the fleeting nature of hope.Tatoeba #6675015 by Reonaato, translation #6675007 by Reonaato
- Nautae difficiliter procellae resistebantThe sailors were struggling to withstand the storm
- Heri tempestatem parvam, tempestatiunculam quasi, vidiYesterday, I saw a small storm, more like a little tempest
Example conversation
Aurelia and Quintus are looking at the darkening sky.
- AureliaVidesne nubes? Tempestās venit.Do you see the clouds? A storm is coming.
- QuintusIta, et ventus valde flat.Yes, and the wind is blowing hard.
- AureliaHac tempestāte domum ire debemus.We must go home in this storm.
- QuintusCurramus, ne pluvia nos capiat!Let's run, lest the rain catch us!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “storm” translations and entries procella, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries procella, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
