catherine-wheel

In short, Madame shone in her very best phase that day, and came in and went out quite a living catherine-wheel of compliments, delight, and affability.

Villette 2003

It seemed to Plunger, so far as he had any sensation at all, that he was performing the part of a human catherine-wheel.

The Hero of Garside School

Just when you are beginning to wonder if he has converted himself into a catherine-wheel or a corkscrew, he straightens himself out horizontally, remains poised for the millionth part of a second like a he-angel that has moulted his wings; then down he dives perpendicularly like a tornado in trousers, skinning forehead, nose, and chin as he kisses the drum-like surface of the hide.

Campaign Pictures of the War in South Africa (1899-1900) Letters from the Front A. G. Hales

She had whirled catherine-wheel fashion, head over heels from end to end of the stage.

The Dark House 1922

Chinese catherine-wheel being something new in the experience of a black fellow.

We of the Never-Never Jeannie Gunn 1915

He departed at speed up the nearest boyau, leaving a trail of sparks behind him like a catherine-wheel that has been out in the rain; to be followed by his Captain, who had first taken the precaution of loading his automatic.

No Man's Land 1912

It seemed as if she could not realise the meaning of his words, but there was a dizzy feeling in her head as if a catherine-wheel were whirling round and round, and she felt suddenly weak and tired, so that she was obliged to sit down and lean against the wall.

Sisters Three George de Horne Vaizey 1887

'It is like trying to be an amateur catherine-wheel,' he remarked; 'and you see plenty of sparks!'

Chatterbox, 1906 Various 1873

For an instant he suggested a catherine-wheel at the Crystal Palace fireworks; he went three or four times head over heels, his snowshoes looking like the arms of a windmill as he went round.

Chatterbox, 1906 Various 1873

As I said the words "one on each arm," I put up first one and then the other of my own, and having got a satisfactory impetus during the rest of my sentence, I crossed the parlour as a catherine-wheel under my mother's nose.

We and the World, Part I A Book for Boys Juliana Horatia Gatty Ewing 1863