/hwerrl"wind', werrl"-/ , n.
1. any of several relatively small masses of air rotating rapidly around a more or less vertical axis and advancing simultaneously over land or sea, as a dust devil, tornado, or waterspout.
2. anything resembling a whirlwind, as in violent action or destructive force.
3. any circling rush or violent onward course.
4. reap the whirlwind , to suffer the penalties for one's misdeeds. Hos. 8:7.
adj.
5. like a whirlwind, as in speed or force: a whirlwind visit to New York.
v.i.
6. to move or travel quickly.
[ 1300-50; ME hvirfilvindr; c. G Wirbelwind ]
Syn. 5. headlong, breakneck, hasty, impulsive.