from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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}.]
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1. To turn round rapidly; to cause to rotate with velocity;
to make to revolve.
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He whirls his sword around without delay. --Dryden.
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2. To remove or carry quickly with, or as with, a revolving
motion; to snatch; to harry. --Chaucer.
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See, see the chariot, and those rushing wheels,
That whirled the prophet up at Chebar flood.
--Milton.
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The passionate heart of the poet is whirl'd into
folly. --Tennyson.
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