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Webster 1913 Edition

Whirlwind

Whirl′windˊ

,
Noun.
[Cf. Icel.
hvirfilvindr
, Sw.
hvirfvelvind
, Dan.
hvirvelvind
, G.
wirbelwind
. See
Whirl
, and
Wind
,
Noun.
]
1.
A violent windstorm of limited extent, as the tornado, characterized by an inward spiral motion of the air with an upward current in the center; a vortex of air. It usually has a rapid progressive motion.
The swift dark
whirlwind
that uproots the woods.
And drowns the villages.
Bryant.
☞ Some meteorologists apply the word whirlwind to the larger rotary storm also, such as cyclones.
2.
Fig.: A body of objects sweeping violently onward.
“The whirlwind of hounds and hunters.”
Macaulay.

Webster 1828 Edition

Whirlwind

WHIRLWIND

,
Noun.
[whirl and wind.] A violent wind moving in a circle, or rather in a spiral form, as if moving round an axis; this axis or the perpendicular column moving horizontally, raising and whirling dust, leaves and the like.

Definition 2025

whirlwind

whirlwind

English

Noun

whirlwind ‎(plural whirlwinds)

  1. A violent windstorm of limited extent, as the tornado, characterized by an inward spiral motion of the air with an upward current in the center; a vortex of air. It usually has a rapid progressive motion.
  2. (figuratively) A person or body of objects or events sweeping violently onward.
    The weeks leading up to the convention were a whirlwind of preparation and hurried activity.
    Once he got that new scooter he turned into a whirlwind and damaged all the flowers.

Derived terms

Translations

figuratively: a body of objects or events sweeping violently onward

Adjective

whirlwind ‎(not comparable)

  1. Rapid and minimal: a whirlwind tour, a whirlwind romance.

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