| tidal wave n. 1. The swell or crest of surface ocean water created by the tides. 2. a. An unusual, often destructive rise of water along the seashore, as from a storm or a combination of wind and high tide. b. A tsunami. 3. An overwhelming manifestation; a flood: a tidal wave of illicit drugs; an emotional tidal wave. |
tidal wave
n
1. (Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) a name (not accepted in technical usage) for tsunami
2. (Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) an unusually large incoming wave, often caused by high winds and spring tides
3. a forceful and widespread movement in public opinion, action, etc.
| tidal wave 1. Either of the two swells or crests of surface ocean water created by the gravitational effects of the Moon and Sun and circling the globe on opposite sides to create the daily periods of high and low tides. Also called tidal bulge. 2. An unusual rise in the level of water along a seacoast, as from a storm or a combination of wind and tide. Also called storm surge. 3. A tsunami. Usage The term tidal wave is used in everyday speech to refer to a gigantic and enormously destructive wave caused by an underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption  what scientists would properly call a tsunami. When scientists use the word tidal wave, they normally are referring to an unusually large wave or bulge of water that sometimes occurs around a high tide. These tidal waves are certainly big and powerful, but they are tiny in comparison with tsunamis. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | tidal wave - an overwhelming manifestation of some emotion or phenomenon; "a tidal wave of nausea"; "the flood of letters hit him with the force of a tidal wave"; "a tidal wave of crime" manifestation - a clear appearance; "a manifestation of great emotion" |
| 2. | tidal wave - an unusual (and often destructive) rise of water along the seashore caused by a storm or a combination of wind and high tide calamity, catastrophe, tragedy, disaster, cataclysm - an event resulting in great loss and misfortune; "the whole city was affected by the irremediable calamity"; "the earthquake was a disaster" moving ridge, wave - one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water) | |
| 3. |  tidal wave - a wave resulting from the periodic flow of the tides that is caused by the gravitational attraction of the moon and sunmoving ridge, wave - one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water) |
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