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Webster 1913 Edition


Whirlpool

Whirl′poolˊ

,
Noun.
1.
An eddy or vortex of water; a place in a body of water where the water moves round in a circle so as to produce a depression or cavity in the center, into which floating objects may be drawn; any body of water having a more or less circular motion caused by its flowing in an irregular channel, by the coming together of opposing currents, or the like.
2.
A sea monster of the whale kind.
[Obs.]
Spenser.
The Indian Sea breedeth the most and the biggest fishes that are; among which the whales and
whirlpools
, called “balaenae,” take up in length as much as four . . . arpents of land.
Holland.

Webster 1828 Edition


Whirlpool

WHIRLPOOL

,
Noun.
[whirl and pool.] An eddy of water; a vortex or gulf where the water moves round in a circle. In some cases, a whirlpool draws things to its center and absorbs them, as is the case with the Maelstrom off the coast of Norway.