Whirlpit
(Whirl"pit`) n. A whirlpool. [Obs.] "Raging whirlpits." Sandys.
Whirlpool
(Whirl"pool`) n.
1. An eddy or vortex of water; a place in a body of water where the water moves round in a circle so as
to produce a depression or cavity in the center, into which floating objects may be drawn; any body of
water having a more or less circular motion caused by its flowing in an irregular channel, by the coming
together of opposing currents, or the like.
2. A sea monster of the whale kind. [Obs.] Spenser.
The Indian Sea breedeth the most and the biggest fishes that are; among which the whales and whirlpools,
called "balænæ," take up in length as much as four . . . arpents of land.
Holland. Whirlwig
(Whirl"wig`) n. [Cf. Earwig.] (Zoöl.) A whirligig.
Whirlwind
(Whirl"wind`) n. [Cf. Icel. hvirfilvindr, Sw. hvirfvelvind, Dan. hvirvelvind, G. wirbelwind.
See Whirl, and Wind, n.]
1. A violent windstorm of limited extent, as the tornado, characterized by an inward spiral motion of the
air with an upward current in the center; a vortex of air. It usually has a rapid progressive motion.
The swift dark whirlwind that uproots the woods.
And drowns the villages.
Bryant. Some meteorologists apply the word whirlwind to the larger rotary storm also, such as cyclones.
2. Fig.: A body of objects sweeping violently onward. "The whirlwind of hounds and hunters." Macaulay.
Whirry
(Whir"ry) v. i. To whir. [Obs.]
Whirtle
(Whir"tle) n. (Mech.) A perforated steel die through which wires or tubes are drawn to form
them.
Whisk
(Whisk) n. [See Whist, n.] A game at cards; whist. [Obs.] Taylor
Whisk
(Whisk), n. [Probably for wisk, and of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. visk a wisp; akin to Dan. visk,
Sw. viska, D. wisch, OHG. wisc, G. wisch. See Wisp.]
1. The act of whisking; a rapid, sweeping motion, as of something light; a sudden motion or quick puff.
This first sad whisk
Takes off thy dukedom; thou art but an earl.
J. Fletcher. 2. A small bunch of grass, straw, twigs, hair, or the like, used for a brush; hence, a brush or small besom,
as of broom corn.
3. A small culinary instrument made of wire, or the like, for whisking or beating eggs, cream, etc. Boyle.
