Cyclonical

/saɪˈklɑː.nɪ.kəl/ adjective

Definition

An alternative or archaic form meaning the same as cyclonic; relating to cyclones or cyclone-like motion.

Etymology

Variant of cyclonic with an added -al suffix, creating a redundant but historically used adjective form. Some early meteorological texts preferred this longer form, but it gradually fell out of favor.

Kelly Says

Language often creates multiple versions of adjectives before settling on one—'cyclonical' lost out to 'cyclonic' because shorter is usually better, which is why we don't say 'dramatical' anymore.

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