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Gust

2 stages from Old Norse to English.

Today it means a brief, strong rush of wind; an outburst of feeling

Where does the word "gust" come from? It comes from Old Norse gustr, adopted directly into English (1580s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
gustr
Old Norse · medieval
"a cold blast of wind"
from 'gjósa', to gush or burst out, the same root behind 'geyser'
2
Stage 2 of 2
gust
English · 1580s
"a sudden rush of wind"
first appears in Shakespeare's era for a sudden rush of wind
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Read the full story

Gust’s story begins in Old Norse: gustr meant “a cold blast of wind.” From 'gjósa', to gush or burst out, the same root behind 'geyser'. It reached English by 1580s as gust. First appears in Shakespeare's era for a sudden rush of wind. Today, gust means a brief, strong rush of wind; an outburst of feeling.