■ noun
1》 a toy that spins round, e.g. a top or windmill.
2》 another term for roundabout (in sense 2).
3》 a process or activity characterized by constant change or hectic activity: the ~ of time.
4》 (also ~ beetle ) a small black water beetle which typically swims rapidly in circles on the surface. [Family Gyrinidae.]
Origin
ME: from whirl + obs. gig 'toy for whipping'.