whirl: Meaning and Definition of

whirl

Pronunciation: (hwûrl, wûrl), [key]
— v.i.
  1. to turn around, spin, or rotate rapidly: The merry-go-round whirled noisily.
  2. to turn about or aside quickly: He whirled and faced his pursuers.
  3. to move, travel, or be carried rapidly along: She whirled along the freeway in her new car.
  4. to feel as though spinning rapidly; reel as from dizziness: My head began to whirl.
—v.t.
  1. to cause to turn around, spin, or rotate rapidly.
  2. to send, drive, or carry in a circular or curving course.
  3. to drive, send, or carry along with great or dizzying rapidity.
  4. to hurl.
—n.
  1. the act of whirling; rapid rotation or gyration.
  2. a whirling movement; quick turn or swing.
  3. a short drive, run, walk, or the like; spin.
  4. something that whirls; a whirling current or mass.
  5. a rapid round of events, affairs, etc.: a whirl of meetings, conferences, and business lunches.
  6. a state marked by dizziness or a dizzying succession of feelings, thoughts, etc.
  7. an attempt or trial, esp. one undertaken tentatively or experimentally: Even if you don't agree with my plan, won't you give it a whirl?
  8. whip (def. 29).
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
See also: