grando, ĭnis, f. (masc., Varr. ap. Non. 208, 11) [Sanscr. hrād-uni, storm; Gr. χάλαζα for χαλαδ-ια], hail, a hail-storm.
- I. Lit., Plaut. Most. 1, 2, 58; id. Merc. 5, 2, 19; Cic. N. D. 3, 35, 86; Liv. 28, 37, 7; Verg. G. 1, 449; Hor. C. 1, 2, 2; 3, 1, 29 et saep.: nimbus cum saxea grandine subito est exortus ingens, hailstones, Auct. B. Afr. 47, 1.
In plur.: terrere animos, nimbis, nivibus, grandinibus, etc., Cic. N. D. 2, 5, 14: grandines ruunt, Plin. 2, 38, 38, § 103.
- B. Transf., poet., a shower, i. e. a great quantity, a multitude: et densa resonant saxorum grandine turres, Sil. 2, 38: aspera saxorum, id. 9, 578.
- * II. Trop., of copious speech: qui grandines Ulixei (superat), Aus. Ep. 16, 13.