whirlwind

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“
To think of a whirlwind, though 'twere in a whirlwind were a case of more steady contemplation, a very tranquillity of mind and mansion There is a picturesqueness, as of Millamant and no other, in her voice, when she is encouraged to take Mirabel by Mrs. Fainall, who is 'sure she has a mind to him MILLAMANT: Are you?

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Definitions (9)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (4)

  1. noun A rapidly rotating, generally vertical column of air, such as a tornado, dust devil, or waterspout.
  2. noun A tumultuous, confused rush.
  3. noun A destructive force or thing.
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Examples (50)

  • I am wondering why the whirlwind is always turning in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from above (judging by the curves of the tails). —  unalog
  • The economic troubles of which we are now reaping the whirlwind are the consequence in the first instance of Upon Arrival, They Should At Least Have To Take Out A Subscription In English terms, this blog loves this country, and it just wishes its politicians would somehow always remember that Britain is where our modern, free world truly began. —  Expat Yank
  • By no means; there is nothing supernatural in a whirlwind, and the effect of a whirlwind is to twist everything round. —  Olla Podrida
  • She was like a whirlwind, a red, laughing, fascinating whirlwind. —  Possessed
  • What a whirlwind is her head And what a whirlpool full of depth and danger Is all the rest about her! —  Don Juan
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This word has been looked up 70 times.

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Etymologies (1)

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. from Middle English whyrle-wynde, qwirl-wind, a whirling wind, = Dutch wervel-wind = German wirbelwind = lcel. hvirfilvindr = Swedish hvirfvelvind = Danish hvirvelvind, a whirlwind; as whirl + wind, n.
 

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/ˈhwərlwɪnd/
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