n. 1 a ring of leaves or other organs round a stem of a plant. 2 one turn of a spiral, esp. on a shell. 3 a complete circle in a fingerprint. 4 archaic a small wheel on a spindle steadying its motion. whorled adj.
[ ME wharwyl, whorwil, app. var. of WHIRL: infl. by wharve (n.) = whorl of a spindle ]