From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Gale \Gale\ (g[=a]l), noun [Prob. of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. gal furious, Icel. galinn, cf. Icel. gala to sing, AS. galan to sing, Icel. galdr song, witchcraft, AS. galdor charm, sorcery, E. nightingale; also, Icel. gj[=o]la gust of wind, gola breeze. Cf. {Yell}.]
1. A strong current of air; a wind between a stiff breeze and a hurricane. The most violent gales are called {tempests}.
Note: Gales have a velocity of from about eighteen (''moderate'') to about eighty (''very heavy'') miles an our. --Sir. W. S. Harris.
2. A moderate current of air; a breeze.
A little gale will soon disperse that cloud. --Shak.
And winds of gentlest gale Arabian odors fanned From their soft wings. --Milton.
3. A state of excitement, passion, or hilarity.
The ladies, laughing heartily, were fast getting into what, in New England, is sometimes called a gale. --Brooke (Eastford).
{Topgallant gale} (Naut.), one in which a ship may carry her topgallant sails.
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