Blizzard

bliz·zard /ˈblɪzərd/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[bliz-erd] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation

–noun

1.	Meteorology. a. a storm with dry, driving snow, strong winds, and intense cold. b. a heavy and prolonged snowstorm covering a wide area.

2.	an inordinately large amount all at one time; avalanche: a blizzard of Christmas cards.

–verb (used without object)

3.	to snow as a blizzard: Looks as though it's going to blizzard tonight.

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[Origin: 1820–30, Americanism; earlier: violent blow, shot; cf. Brit. dial. (Midlands) blizzer, blizzom blaze, flash, anything that blinds momentarily; prob. expressive formations with components of blast, blaze¹, bluster, etc.]

—Related forms

bliz·zard·y, bliz·zard·ly, adjective