I.f [pro and root kel; Gr. κέλης, runner; cf.: celer, celox], a violent wind (by which things are prostrated), a storm, hurricane, tempest (class.).
I. Lit.: “procella distat latitudine a vortice et a turbine disjectā nube verius quam ruptā,” Plin. 2, 49, 50, § 133: “turbinis inmanem vim provomit atque procellae,” Lucr. 6, 447: “imbres, nimbi, procellae, turbines,” Cic. N. D. 3, 20, 51; Plaut. Trin. 4, 1, 17: “creber procellis Africus,” Verg. A. 1, 85: “stridens Aquilone procella,” id. ib. 1, 102: “si mugiat Africis Malus procellis,” Hor. C. 3, 29, 58; 2, 9, 3: “praecipites,” Ov. Tr. 4, 6, 35: “navis quassata procellā,” id. ib. 5, 5, 17: “raperent mea poma procellae, id. Nux, 163: procella nivem effuderat,” Curt. 3, 13, 7: “imbrem excusserant procellae,” id. 4, 7, 14: “Thalle, turbidā rapacior procellā,” Cat. 25, 4.—With gen.: “validi venti collecta procella,” Lucr. 6, 124.—
II. Transf.
A. (Mostly in plur.) A storm, tumult, violence, commotion, vehemence: “tempestates et procellas in illis fluctibus concionum,” Cic. Mil. 2, 5 (also cited ap. Quint. 8, 6, 48, and particularly mentioned as a figure, id. 8, 6, 48, § 7): “vita tranquilla et quieta remota a procellis invidiarum,” Cic. Clu. 56, 153: “ut procellam temporis devitaret,” Cic. Verr. 1, 3, 8: “patriae,” id. Dom. 53, 137: “agitari tribuniciis procellis,” Liv. 2, 1; cf.: “seditionum procellae,” id. 28, 25: “procellae civiles,” civil commotions, Nep. Att. 10, 6; cf.: “ferimur procellā,” Verg. A. 7, 594; Ov. M. 13, 656.—
B. In milit. lang.
1. A charge, onset, sudden attack of cavalry: “hac velut procellā ita consternavit equos, ut, etc.,” Liv. 37, 41 fin.: “equestrem procellam excitemus oportet,” id. 30, 18: “equestris,” id. 29, 2; Tac. H. 3, 53.—
2. In gen., of a fierce battle: “hic secunda belli Punici procella desaevit,” Flor. 2, 6, 12; Luc. 8, 203.—
3. Of a storm of eloquence: “priusquam illam eloquentiae procellam effunderet (Ulixes),” Quint. 11, 3, 158: “contionum,” id. 8, 6, 7.
