A vigorous blow might win [Hanno's camp].
T. Arnold.
3. The infliction of evil; a sudden calamity; something which produces mental, physical, or financial suffering or loss (esp. when sudden); a buffet.
A most poor man, made tame to fortune's blows.
Shak.
At a blow, suddenly; at one effort; by a single vigorous act. "They lose a province at a blow." Dryden. -- To come to blows, to engage in combat; to fight; - - said of individuals, armies, and nations.
Syn. -- Stroke; knock; shock; misfortune.
Blow, v. i. [imp. Blew (bl); p. p. Blown (bln); p. pr. & vb. n. Blowing.] [OE. blawen, blowen, AS. blwan to blow, as wind; akin to OHG. pljan, G. blähen, to blow up, swell, L. flare to blow, Gr. 'ekflai`nein to spout out, and to E. bladder, blast, inflate, etc., and perh. blow to bloom.] 1. To produce a current of air; to move, as air, esp. to move rapidly or with power; as, the wind blows.
Hark how it rains and blows !
Walton.
2. To send forth a forcible current of air, as from the mouth or from a pair of bellows.