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Dust Devil

Weather
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A small, localized whirlwind that forms on sunny, dry, and clear days; it consists of a rapidly rotating column of wind that picks up dust, sand, and debris, making it visible.

Detailed Definition
A dust devil is a narrow spinning vortex that forms over hot, dry ground, lifting dust, leaves, sand, and light debris into the air. Smaller and usually weaker than a tornado, it can nevertheless appear sudden, lively, and uncanny. Poets may use a dust devil as an image of fleeting disorder, childhood wonder, or a restless spirit crossing an empty landscape. Its brief dance makes it ideal for poems about transience and motion.
Example
Example in poetry:
A dust devil lifted one receipt from the parking lot and made it dance above the weeds; Use dust devil for a small, rotating column of dust, distinct from a large destructive tornado; The child chased the dust devil until it vanished, leaving only grit in her eyelashes; A poet may use a dust devil as an image of brief mischief, restless heat, or an argument that swirls up and disappears
Additional Notes
A dust devil is smaller and usually less destructive than a tornado, forming when warm air begins to spin near the ground. It can evoke dry weather, restlessness, playfulness, or a brief burst of wild motion.
Also Known As
Dust Whirl Whirlwind Sand Devil
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