{ Gal"ban, Gal"ba*num (?), } n. [L. galbanum, Gr. &?;, prob. from Heb.
klekb'n&?;h: cf. F. galbanum.] A gum resin exuding from the stems of
certain Asiatic umbelliferous plants, mostly species of Ferula. The
Bubon Galbanum of South Africa furnishes an inferior kind of galbanum.
It has an acrid, bitter taste, a strong, unpleasant smell, and is used
for medical purposes, also in the arts, as in the manufacture of
varnish.
Gale (gl), n. [Prob. of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. gal furious, Icel.
galinn, cf. Icel. gala to sing, AS. galan to sing, Icel. galdr song,
witchcraft, AS. galdor charm, sorcery, E. nightingale; also, Icel. gjla
gust of wind, gola breeze. Cf. Yell.] 1. A strong current of air; a
wind between a stiff breeze and a hurricane. The most violent gales are
called tempests.
Gales have a velocity of from about eighteen ("moderate") to about
eighty ("very heavy") miles an our. Sir. W. S. Harris.