I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: whirl (II) + pool
1.
a. : water moving rapidly in a circle so as to produce a depression or cavity in the center into which floating objects may be drawn : eddy , vortex — compare maelstrom
b. : a body of water having a more or less circular motion caused by its flowing in an irregular channel or by the meeting of opposing currents
c. : whirlpool bath
2.
a. : a confused tumult and bustle : whirl
walking down the gangway into a furious human whirlpool of customs, passport regulations, and bellowing loudspeakers — Wynford Vaughan-Thomas
the turbulent whirlpool of pioneer politics — American Guide Series: Minnesota
b. : a magnetic or impelling force by which something is or may be pulled under or engulfed
refusing to be drawn into this whirlpool of intrigue — A.D.White
under their stagnant respectability are whirlpools of evil and passion — Laurent LeSage
a seething whirlpool of competition and intrigue in which everyone is … unscrupulous — David Cecil
3. : gurges
II. intransitive verb
: to eddy or spin around like a whirlpool
the feather … whirlpooled down — Gerald Durrell