tidal wave
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Financial, Wikipedia.
tidal wave,
term properly applied to the crest of a tidetide,alternate and regular rise and fall of sea level in oceans and other large bodies of water. These changes are caused by the gravitational attraction of the moon and, to a lesser extent, of the sun on the earth.
..... Click the link for more information. as it moves around the earth. The wavelike upstream rush of water caused by the incoming tide in some locations is known as a tidal borebore,
inrush of water that advances upstream with a wavelike front, caused by the progress of incoming tide from a wide-mouthed bay into its narrower portion. The tidal movement tends to be retarded by friction as it reaches the shallower water and meets the river current; it
..... Click the link for more information. . In popular usage the term tidal wave also is often applied to any destructive wave or to high water not related to tidal phenomena. These latter waves are of two types: tsunamistsunami
, series of catastrophic ocean waves generated by submarine movements, which may be caused by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides beneath the ocean, or an asteroid striking the earth. Tsunamis are also called seismic sea waves or, popularly, tidal waves.
..... Click the link for more information. , which are waves caused by earthquakesearthquake,
trembling or shaking movement of the earth's surface. Most earthquakes are minor tremors. Larger earthquakes usually begin with slight tremors but rapidly take the form of one or more violent shocks, and end in vibrations of gradually diminishing force called
..... Click the link for more information. , and storm surges (see under stormstorm,
disturbance of the ordinary conditions of the atmosphere attended by wind, rain, snow, sleet, hail, or thunder and lightning. Types of storms include the extratropical cyclone, the common, large-scale storm of temperate latitudes; the tropical cyclone, or hurricane, which
..... Click the link for more information. ).
tidal wave
[′tīd·əl ‚wāv] (oceanography)
Any unusually high and generally destructive sea wave or water level along a shore.
tidal wave
1. a name (not accepted in technical usage) for tsunami
2. an unusually large incoming wave, often caused by high winds and spring tides
Tidal Wave
(dreams)Tidal waves or tsunamis suggest that you may be in a period of emotional upheaval. Anxiety, stress, and unconscious materials may be coming to the surface and affecting your daily moods. Giant tidal waves from your dream may be symbolic of current emotional unhappiness and psychological stress that may be threatening to destroy or uproot you. The outcome of this dream could reveal to you how much strength you have to “ride out” this storm. If you are not consumed, or you survived the tidal waves of your dream, be assured that you will survive the challenges of life and living.