n. [ Cf. Dan. hvirvel, Sw. hvirfvel, Icel. hvirfill the crown of the head, G. wirbel whirl, crown of the head, D. wervel. See Whirl, v. t. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A turning with rapidity or velocity; rapid rotation or circumvolution; quick gyration; rapid or confusing motion; as, the whirl of a top; the whirl of a wheel. “In no breathless whirl.” J. H. Newman. [ 1913 Webster ]

The rapid . . . whirl of things here below interrupt not the inviolable rest and calmness of the noble beings above. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Anything that moves with a whirling motion. [ 1913 Webster ]

He saw Falmouth under gray, iron skies, and whirls of March dust. Carlyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A revolving hook used in twisting, as the hooked spindle of a rope machine, to which the threads to be twisted are attached. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Bot. & Zool.) A whorl. See Whorl. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To be turned round rapidly; to move round with velocity; to revolve or rotate with great speed; to gyrate. “The whirling year vainly my dizzy eyes pursue.” J. H. Newman. [ 1913 Webster ]

The wooden engine flies and whirls about. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To move hastily or swiftly. [ 1913 Webster ]

But whirled away to shun his hateful sight. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Whirled p. pr. & vb. n. Whirling. ] [ OE. whirlen, probably from the Scand.; cf. Icel. & Sw. hvirfla, Dan. hvirvle; akin to D. wervelen, G. wirbeln, freq. of the verb seen in Icel. hverfa to turn. √16. See Wharf, and cf. Warble, Whorl. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To turn round rapidly; to cause to rotate with velocity; to make to revolve. [ 1913 Webster ]

He whirls his sword around without delay. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To remove or carry quickly with, or as with, a revolving motion; to snatch; to harry. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

See, see the chariot, and those rushing wheels,
That whirled the prophet up at Chebar flood. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

The passionate heart of the poet is whirl'd into folly. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Something that whirls or turns about in a rapid manner; a whirligig. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Anything moved with a whirl, as preparatory for a blow, or to augment the force of it; -- applied by poets to the cestus of ancient boxers. [ 1913 Webster ]

The whirlbat and the rapid race shall be
Reserved for Caesar. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A whirling blast or wind. [ 1913 Webster ]

A whirl-blast from behind the hill. Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Anat.) (a) The huckle bone. [ Obs. ] (b) The patella, or kneepan. [ Obs. ] Ainsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, whirls. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An open car or chariot. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Of old time coaches were not known in this island, but chariots, or whirlicotes. Stow. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Whirl + gig. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A child's toy, spun or whirled around like a wheel upon an axis, or like a top. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Anything which whirls around, or in which persons or things are whirled about, as a frame with seats or wooden horses. [ 1913 Webster ]

With a whirligig of jubilant mosquitoes spinning about each head. G. W. Cable. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A mediaeval instrument for punishing petty offenders, being a kind of wooden cage turning on a pivot, in which the offender was whirled round with great velocity. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of beetles belonging to Gyrinus and allied genera. The body is firm, oval or boatlike in form, and usually dark colored with a bronzelike luster. These beetles live mostly on the surface of water, and move about with great celerity in a gyrating, or circular, manner, but they are also able to dive and swim rapidly. The larva is aquatic. Called also weaver, whirlwig, and whirlwig beetle. [ 1913 Webster ]