Flurry

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /ˈflʌ.ɹi/

Definitions

1. A short, rapid burst of movement or activity ; a light shower of snow or rain that moves quickly in swirls ; a sudden wave of excitement or noisy disturbance
2. A brief but intense period of motion or work ; a quick and scattered fall of snow or rain particles ; an unexpected rush of excitement or chaotic activity
3. A momentary flurry of action or movement ; scattered precipitation blowing in the air ; a spontaneous outbreak of lively or noisy behavior

Etymology: The most useful clue to "flurry" is that nobody is certain where it came from. One proposal is that it is an American English blend of "flutter" and "hurry," two lively words whose sounds and senses both suggest rapid, disordered motion. Another suggestion links it to an obsolete English verb "flurr," meaning "to scatter," which would fit the sense of snow or dust blown about in gusts. Both accounts point toward the same idea of things being thrown into agitated movement. Whichever origin is correct, the word's meanings track that agitation closely. It first describes a sudden burst of activity, then gusts of blowing snow, and finally a brief outbreak of noisy excitement. The shift from weather to behavior is a natural extension: a flurry of snow and a flurry of people both arrive suddenly, swirl for a moment, and then settle.

Synonyms: burst, flurry