weathermaker

English

Alternative forms

• weather maker, weather-maker

Etymology

From weather +‎ maker.

Noun

weathermaker (plural weathermakers)

1. One who attempts to influence the weather by magic; one who performs a weathermaking ritual.
   • 1999, Felix Speiser, Ethnology of Vanuatu, page 211:

     A death, a drought ascribable to the sorcery of a weathermaker, a cyclone and so forth could always excite the natives to acts of revenge, and consequently no man could leave his district unarmed […]

2. (informal) A storm; a meteorological event that creates unpleasant weather.
   • 2017 January 14, “Saturday Afternoon Update”, in Kentucky Weather Center‎:

     At first glance, that looks like a severe weather maker to our south, with the potential to move into our part of the world. Worth watching.

3. (informal) A geographical feature that tends to cause weather to form.
   • 2010 August 4, “Answers to Quiz de Cuisine, our test of Syracuse-area restaurant knowledge”, in Syracuse.com‎:

     It's right on the shore of a body of water that is considered Central New York's principal weather-maker. That makes this place the perfect seasonal bellwether: When it opens for the season, spring is here. When it closes, winter's not far behind.