Whirl

(hwĭrl, 18), v. t. [imp. & p. p. WHIRLED; p. pr. & vb. n. WHIRLING.] [Dan. hvirvle, to whirl, to turn about, Sw. & Icel. hvirfla, D. wervelen, N. H. Ger. wirbeln, O. H. Ger. hwarbalōn; A-S. hweorflung, aberration. See supra.]

1Sense 1. To turn round rapidly; to cause to rotate with velocity; to make to revolve.

He whirls his sword around without delay. Dryden.

2Sense 2. To remove quickly with a revolving motion; to snatch.

*See, see the chariot, and those rushing wheels That whirled the prophet up at Chebar’s flood.* Milton.

v. i. 1. To be turned round rapidly; to move round with velocity; to revolve or rotate with great motion; to gyrate.

The wooden engine flies and whirls about. Dryden.

2Sense 2. To move hastily. “But whirled away to shun his hateful sight.” Dryden.

n. [Dan. hvir'vel, Sw. hvirfrel, Icel. hvir'fill, D. werrel, N. H. Ger. wirbel, O. H. Ger. hwerbil, hwirvil. See supra.]

1Sense 1. A turning with rapidity or velocity; rapid rotation or circumvolution; quick gyration; as, the whirl of a top; the whirl of a wheel.

The rapid motion and whirl of things here below interrupts not the inviolable rest and calmness of the noble beings above. South.

2Sense 2. Any thing that moves or is turned with velocity, especially on an axis or pivot, or as if on an axis or pivot.

He saw Falmouth under gray, iron skies, and whirls of March dust. Carlyle.

3Sense 3. A revolving hook used in twisting, as the hooked spindle of a rope-machine, to which the threads to be twisted are attached.

4Sense 4. (Bot. & Conch.) A whorl. See WHORL.