WHIR


Meaning of WHIR in English

I. verb

also whirr ˈhwər, ˈwər

( whirred ; whir·ring )

Etymology: Middle English (Scots) quirren, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish hvirre to whirl, whir

Date: 15th century

intransitive verb

: to fly, revolve, or move rapidly with a whir

hummingbirds whirring past

transitive verb

: to move or carry rapidly with a whir

II. noun

also whirr

Date: 1677

: a continuous fluttering or vibratory sound made by something in rapid motion

the whir of machinery

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.