dust devil
noun/dʌst ˈdɛvəl/
Etymology From dust + devil.
1
A small atmospheric vortex appearing in clear, dry conditions, made visible by swirling dust (or dirt or sand) picked up from the ground.
- Near-synonyms: whirlwind, whirl, sandspout, sand pillar, willy willy (Australia)
- A dust devil may look harmless, but a large one can overturn a car.
- Related terms
- devil, dust bowl, duststorm, fire devil, steam devil, cyclone, hurricane