sand-spout

A sand-spout swirls across the desert floor.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A "sand-spout" is a column of sand that is whirled upward by a rotating column of air, similar to a waterspout but occurring over sandy terrain, typically in desert or arid regions.

Usage Examples

• (A spinning column of sand lifted by wind.)
• (A rotating air column carrying sand.)

Advanced Usage

• "to form a sand-spout": to develop into a vertical, rotating column of sand.
  • Under the intense heat, the dry ground began to form a sand-spout, twisting sand into the air. (The sand rose in a spiral pattern due to strong winds.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sandstorm (n): a strong wind carrying sand through the air, often covering a large area.
  • The sandstorm lasted for hours, reducing visibility to near zero. (A widespread wind-driven sand event.)
• Dust devil (n): a small, rotating column of dust or sand, typically weaker than a sand-spout.
  • A dust devil swirled across the parking lot, lifting leaves and dirt. (A minor whirlwind of debris.)

Synonyms

• Whirlwind of sand: a rotating column of sand particles.
• Sand whirl: a circular motion of sand in the air.

Related Idioms

• Like a sand-spout in the desert: used to describe something that appears suddenly and violently, then disappears.
  • His anger erupted like a sand-spout in the desert, fierce and brief. (Sudden and explosive, then gone.)