— whirler , n. — whirlingly , adv.
/hwerrl, werrl/ , v.i.
1. to turn around, spin, or rotate rapidly: The merry-go-round whirled noisily.
2. to turn about or aside quickly: He whirled and faced his pursuers.
3. to move, travel, or be carried rapidly along: She whirled along the freeway in her new car.
4. to feel as though spinning rapidly; reel as from dizziness: My head began to whirl.
v.t.
5. to cause to turn around, spin, or rotate rapidly.
6. to send, drive, or carry in a circular or curving course.
7. to drive, send, or carry along with great or dizzying rapidity.
8. Obs. to hurl.
n.
9. the act of whirling; rapid rotation or gyration.
10. a whirling movement; quick turn or swing.
11. a short drive, run, walk, or the like; spin.
12. something that whirls; a whirling current or mass.
13. a rapid round of events, affairs, etc.: a whirl of meetings, conferences, and business lunches.
14. a state marked by dizziness or a dizzying succession of feelings, thoughts, etc.
15. an attempt or trial, esp. one undertaken tentatively or experimentally: Even if you don't agree with my plan, won't you give it a whirl?
16. Mach. whip (def. 29).
[ 1250-1300; ME whirlen hvirfla to whirl, akin to OE hwyrflung turning, revolving, hwyrfel circuit; see WHORL ]
Syn. 1. gyrate, pirouette. 1, 5 . revolve, twirl, wheel. 9. spin, revolution. 15. try, go, fling, whack.