Whirl \Whirl\, n. [Cf. Dan. hvirvel, Sw. hvirfvel, Icel. hvirfill the crown of the head, G. wirbel whirl, crown of the head, D. wervel. See Whirl, v. t.]

1. A turning with rapidity or velocity; rapid rotation or circumvolution; quick gyration; rapid or confusing motion; as, the whirl of a top; the whirl of a wheel. ``In no breathless whirl.'' --J. H. Newman.

The rapid . . . whirl of things here below interrupt not the inviolable rest and calmness of the noble beings above. --South.

2. Anything that moves with a whirling motion.

He saw Falmouth under gray, iron skies, and whirls of March dust. --Carlyle.

3. A revolving hook used in twisting, as the hooked spindle of a rope machine, to which the threads to be twisted are attached.

4. (Bot. & Zo["o]l.) A whorl. See Whorl.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Whirl \Whirl\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whirled; p. pr. & vb. n. Whirling.]

[OE. whirlen, probably from the Scand.; cf. Icel. & Sw. hvirfla, Dan. hvirvle; akin to D. wervelen, G. wirbeln, freq. of the verb seen in Icel. hverfa to turn. [root]16. See Wharf, and cf. Warble, Whorl.]

1. To turn round rapidly; to cause to rotate with velocity; to make to revolve.

He whirls his sword around without delay. --Dryden.

2. To remove or carry quickly with, or as with, a revolving motion; to snatch; to harry. --Chaucer.

See, see the chariot, and those rushing wheels, That whirled the prophet up at Chebar flood. --Milton.

The passionate heart of the poet is whirl'd into folly. --Tennyson.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Whirl \Whirl\, v. i.

1. To be turned round rapidly; to move round with velocity; to revolve or rotate with great speed; to gyrate. ``The whirling year vainly my dizzy eyes pursue.'' --J. H. Newman.

The wooden engine flies and whirls about. --Dryden.

2. To move hastily or swiftly.

But whirled away to shun his hateful sight. --Dryden.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)