White Smoke

Pronunciation: /waɪt smoʊk/

Definitions of white smoke

noun a visual signal indicating the election of a new pope in the Roman Catholic Church

Example Sentences

A1 I saw white smoke coming from the chimney.

A2 The white smoke billowed out of the burning building.

B1 The white smoke signaled that the new Pope had been elected.

B2 The white smoke rising from the volcano indicated an imminent eruption.

C1 The white smoke from the barbecue filled the air with a delicious aroma.

C2 The white smoke enveloped the stage as the magician performed his disappearing act.

Examples of white smoke in a Sentence

formal The white smoke billowed from the chimney, signaling the election of the new pope.

informal I knew the car was overheating when I saw white smoke coming from the hood.

slang The barbecue was so hot, it was producing white smoke like crazy.

figurative When he finally made a decision, it was like seeing white smoke rise from the situation.

Grammatical Forms of white smoke

• past tense: smoked
• plural: white smokes
• comparative: whiter smoke
• superlative: whitest smoke
• present tense: white smokes
• future tense: will white smoke
• perfect tense: has white smoked
• continuous tense: is white smoking
• singular: white smoke
• positive degree: white smoke
• infinitive: to white smoke
• gerund: white smoking
• participle: white smoked

Origin and Evolution of white smoke

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The term 'white smoke' originated from the Latin word 'fumus albus' which referred to the visible emission of smoke that is white in color.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the term 'white smoke' came to be associated with the visual signal used in the election of a new Pope, where the burning of ballots produces white smoke to indicate a successful election.