I. ˈedē, -di noun
( -es )
Etymology: alteration of Middle English (Scots dialect) ydy, probably from Old Norse itha; akin to Old English & Old Saxon ed- again, Old High German & Old Norse ith- again, Gothic ith but, Latin et and, Greek eti yet, still, Sanskrit ati beyond, very; basic meaning: beyond
1. : a current of air or water running contrary to the main current ; especially : one moving circularly : whirlpool
2.
a. : a movement or school (as of thought or policy) that is static and unprogressive or that runs counter to the main trend
this was merely an eddy in the stream of American foreign policy — P.C.Jessup
shows a minute acquaintance with the minor eddies of the periodical literature — P.B.Rice
b. : a stagnant provincial region : a region that is remote from the main center of life and activity — often used with back
when civilization moved northward and westward, Rome became a back eddy in European affairs — C.L.White & G.T.Renner
c. : an agitated or spasmodic movement (as of controversy or conflict) ; especially : one that is haphazard, aimless, or unproductive
eddies and flurries of tribal strife ruled out the possibility of a topographical survey — J.V.Harrison
3. : a material substance or group of individuals moving in a swirling or circular manner within a relatively limited area
a constant wind whined through the tunnels, whipping eddies of coal dust into our eyes — Franc Shor
little eddies of people were dancing with each other in the streets — L.C.Stevens
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
transitive verb
: to cause to move in an eddy
intransitive verb
: to move in an eddy or in the manner of an eddy
at the base of which the river swirls and eddies in a manner dangerous to small craft — Tom Marvel
a crowd of blue-gowned men eddying as starlings do about a tree — Patrick O'Donovan
Synonyms: see turn