I. verb
also whirr R ˈwh]ər also ˈw], + vowel ]ər.; ]ə̄, + suffixal vowel ]ər. also ]ə̄r, + vowel in a following word ]ər. or ]ə̄ also ]ə̄r
( whirred ; whirred ; whirring ; whirs )
Etymology: Middle English (Scots) quirren, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish hvirre to whirl, whir, Old Norse hverfa to turn around — more at wharf
intransitive verb
: to fly, revolve, or move rapidly with the sound of a whir
grouse and ptarmigan whirred across the uplands — American Guide Series: Washington
the small electric fan … whirred with a monotonous drone — Erskine Caldwell
the breezes whir through the trees — Gladwin Hill
telephone whirred — Claud Cockburn
transitive verb
: to move or carry rapidly with the sound of whirring
had been whirring the dial of the telephone — Erle Stanley Gardner
the car whirs him away into the night
II. noun
also whirr “\
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English (Scots) quirre, from quirren, v.
: a continuous fluttering or generally vibratory sound made by something in rapid motion
the hunter may delight in the whir of the ruffed grouse — American Guide Series: New Hampshire
the strident whir of the big locusts — Willa Cather
the whir of wheels and spinning tops — K.K.Darrow
the whir of spinning propellers — American Guide Series: Connecticut