windfall

Meanings

1. Something that has been blown down by the wind.
2. The act of something being blown down by wind.
3. A fruit that has fallen from a tree naturally, as from wind.
4. A sudden large benefit; especially, a sudden or unexpected large amount of money, as from lottery or sweepstakes winnings or an unexpected inheritance or gift.

Etymology

From Middle English windfal, wyndfall, equivalent to wind + fall. Cognate with Middle High German wintval, wintfal, German Windfall.