whirler

whirl

 (wûrl, hwûrl)

v. whirled, whirl·ing, whirls

v.intr.

1. To rotate rapidly about a center or an axis; spin.

2. To move while rotating or turning about: The dancer whirled across the stage. See Synonyms at turn.

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.

v.tr.

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

2. To cause to move with a spinning motion: whirled the ball up into the air.

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; a tumult: The press room was in a whirl.

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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whirl′er n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	whirler - a dervish whose actions include ecstatic dancing and whirling whirling dervish dervish - an ascetic Muslim monk; a member of an order noted for devotional exercises involving bodily movements
	2.	whirler - a revolving mechanism mechanism - device consisting of a piece of machinery; has moving parts that perform some function

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.