bise

noun

ˈbēz

plural -s

: a cold wind

especially : a cold dry north wind of southern France, Switzerland, and Italy

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German bīsa north wind, Old Saxon bīsa whirlwind, Dutch dialect bijs gust of wind, Old High German bīsōn to run around in confusion, Old Swedish bisa to run, and perhaps to Old High German bibēn to tremble

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