whirligig

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. Any of various spinning toys.
2. n. A carousel; a merry-go-round.
3. n. Something that continuously whirls.
4. n. The whirligig beetle.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. Any toy or trivial object to which a rapid whirling motion is imparted. Especially
2. n. A toy which children spin in the hand by means of string.
3. n. A carrousel or merry-go-round.
4. n. A toy resembling a miniature windmill, which children cause to spin or whirl round by moving it through the air.
5. n. Hence, anything that revolves or spins like a whirligig; also, spinning rotation; revolving or recurring course.
6. n. In milit. antiq., an instrument for punishing petty offenders, as a kind of wooden cage turning on a pivot, in which the offender was whirled round with great velocity.
7. n. In entomology, any one of numerous species of water-beetles of the family Gyrinidæ, as Gyrinus natator, usually seen in large numbers on the surface of the water, circling rapidly about, and diving only to escape danger. When caught, many exude a milky liquid having an odor of apples. They abound in fresh-water ponds, pools, and ditches. The larvæ are aquatic, and breathe by means of ciliate branchiæ. The American whirligigs belong to the genera Gyrinus, Dineutus, and Gyretes. See cut under Gyrinidæ. Also whirlgig, whirlwig, and whirlwig-beetle.
8. Whirling.

Wiktionary

1. n. Anything that whirls or spins around, such as a toy top.
2. n. A whirligig beetle.
3. n. A device for punishing prisoners comprising a wooden cage that rapidly spins around.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. A child's toy, spun or whirled around like a wheel upon an axis, or like a top.
2. n. Anything which whirls around, or in which persons or things are whirled about, as a frame with seats or wooden horses.
3. n. A mediæval instrument for punishing petty offenders, being a kind of wooden cage turning on a pivot, in which the offender was whirled round with great velocity.
4. n. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of beetles belonging to Gyrinus and allied genera. The body is firm, oval or boatlike in form, and usually dark colored with a bronzelike luster. These beetles live mostly on the surface of water, and move about with great celerity in a gyrating, or circular, manner, but they are also able to dive and swim rapidly. The larva is aquatic. Called also weaver, whirlwig, and whirlwig beetle.

WordNet 3.0

1. v. whirl or spin like a whirligig
2. n. a conical child's plaything tapering to a steel point on which it can be made to spin
3. n. a large, rotating machine with seats for children to ride or amusement