Whirling

whirl  (hwûrl, wûrl)

v. whirled, whirl·ing, whirls

v.intr.

1. To revolve rapidly about a center or an axis. See Synonyms at turn.

2. To rotate or spin rapidly: The dancer whirled across the stage.

3. To turn rapidly, changing direction; wheel: She whirled around to face him.

4. To have the sensation of spinning; reel: My head is whirling with data.

5. To move circularly and rapidly in varied, random directions: The wind whirled across the steppes.

v.tr.

1. To cause to rotate or turn rapidly: whirl a baton.

2. To move or drive in a circular or curving course.

3. To drive at high speed: whirled the motorcycle around the corner.

4. Obsolete To hurl.

n.

1. The act of rotating or revolving rapidly.

2. Something, such as a cloud of dust, that whirls or is whirled.

3. A state of confusion; tumult.

4. A swift succession or round of events: the social whirl.

5. A state of mental confusion or giddiness; dizziness: My head is in a whirl.

6. Informal A short trip or ride.

7. Informal A brief or experimental try: Let's give the plan a whirl.

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[Middle English whirlen, probably from Old Norse hvirfla.]

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whirler n.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

whirling - the act of rotating in a circle or spiral gyration rotary motion, rotation - the act of rotating as if on an axis; "the rotation of the dancer kept time with the music"