ciclón

cyclone

noun seek-LOHN Rare

Origin: Greek kyklon (whirling), from kyklos (circle)

Usage Note

Ciclón is used for any large-scale rotating storm system. In Spanish meteorology the term covers what English distinguishes as 'hurricane' (Atlantic), 'typhoon' (Pacific), and 'cyclone' (Indian Ocean). The written accent disappears in the plural (ciclones) because the stress, still on the same syllable, then falls on the penultimate. In everyday speech huracán is more vivid and dramatic.

Examples

"El ciclón destruyó varias viviendas costeras."

Natural Translation

The cyclone destroyed several coastal homes.

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