a. Forms: α. 5 tempesteuous (? = -evous), 6 -eous, -yous, 6–8 -ious; β. 6 -uouse, -uus, 6– tempestuous. [In the β form, ad. L. tempestuōs-us: cf. tempestu-s, collateral form of tempestās TEMPEST; so obs. F. tempestueus, -uos (14th c.), mod.F. tempétueux = Pr. tempestuos, Sp., Pg. tempestuoso. The α forms appear to be analogical, after other adjs. in -eous, -ious, of various etymology.]

1

  1.  Of, pertaining to, involving, or resembling a tempest; subject to or characterized by tempests; stormy, very rough or violent.

2

  α.  1509.  Hawes, Past. Pleas., xxxvii. (Percy Soc.), 194. It thondred loude wyth clappes tempestious.

3

a. 1548.  Hall, Chron., Hen. IV., 18 b. A great tempesteous rage and furious storme.

4

1592.  Moryson, Let., in Itin., I. (1617), 37. The weather was very tempestious, and not likely to change.

5

  β.  1538.  Starkey, England, I. ii. 61. The trowblus and tempestuus see.

6

1538.  Elyot, Tempestuosum, tempestuous or stormy.

7

1610.  Holland, Camden’s Brit. (1637), 501. A turbulent and tempestuous storme arose.

8

1639–40.  Laud, Diary, 25 Jan. A very blustering and a tempestuous day.

9

1799.  Ht. Lee, Canterb. T., Old Wom. (ed. 2), I. 348. The weather grew lowering and tempestuous.

10

1878.  Bosworth Smith, Carthage, 121. The dangerous storms to which the south of Sicily was exposed after the rising of the tempestuous Orion.

11

  2.  transf. and fig. Characterized by violent agitation or commotion; turbulent, tumultuous; impetuous, passionate; agitated as by a tempest.

12

  α.  1447.  [implied in tempesteuously: see next].

13

1509.  Hawes, Past. Pleas., xxvii. (Percy Soc.), 120. O Mars! me succoure in tyme tempestyous. Ibid., xxxiv. 177. So shall you swage the tempesteous floode Of their stormy myndes.

14

a. 1586.  Sidney, Ps. XXXI. xi. In that tempestious hast, I said, that I from out thy sight was cast.

15

1710.  Brit. Apollo, III. No. 25. 3/1. Tempestious Ills, in wild Confusion hurl’d.

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  β.  1509.  Hawes, Past. Pleas., xxxiii. (Percy Soc.), 169. To the last ende of my matter troublous, With waves enclosed so tempestuous.

17

1648.  Herrick, Hesper., Delight in Disorder. A winning wave (deserving note) In the tempestuous petticote.

18

1653.  R. Sanders, Physiogn., Moles, 21. The tempestuous persecutions of her own kindred.

19

1663.  Davenant, Siege of Rhodes, Wks. (1672), 2. The Shriller Trumpet and Tempestuous Drum.

20

1783.  Miss Burney, Cecilia, VIII. iv. Cecilia was still in this tempestuous state.

21

1865.  Swinburne, Atalanta, 1016. Fill the dance up with tempestuous feel.

22