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eddy

[ ed-ee ]
/ ˈɛd i /
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noun, plural ed·dies.
a current at variance with the main current in a stream of liquid or gas, especially one having a rotary or whirling motion.
a small whirlpool.
any similar current, as of air, dust, or fog.
a current or trend, as of opinion or events, running counter to the main current.
verb (used with or without object), ed·died, ed·dy·ing.
to move or whirl in eddies.
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Origin of eddy

1425–75; late Middle English; Old English ed- turning + ēa water; akin to Old Norse itha

OTHER WORDS FROM eddy

un·ed·died, adjectiveun·ed·dy·ing, adjective

Other definitions for eddy (2 of 2)

Eddy
[ ed-ee ]
/ ˈɛd i /

noun
Mary (Morse) Baker Mrs. Glover; Mrs. Patterson, 1821–1910, U.S. founder of the Christian Science Church.
Also Eddie. a male given name, form of Edgar or Edward.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use eddy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for eddy (1 of 2)

eddy
/ (ˈɛdɪ) /

noun plural -dies
a movement in a stream of air, water, or other fluid in which the current doubles back on itself causing a miniature whirlwind or whirlpool
a deviation from or disturbance in the main trend of thought, life, etc, esp one that is relatively unimportant
verb -dies, -dying or -died
to move or cause to move against the main current

Word Origin for eddy

C15: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse itha; related to Old English ed- again, back, Old High German it-

British Dictionary definitions for eddy (2 of 2)

Eddy
/ (ˈɛdɪ) /

noun
Mary Baker. 1821–1910, US religious leader; founder of the Christian Science movement (1866)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for eddy

eddy
[ ĕdē ]

A current, as of water or air, moving in a direction that is different from that of the main current. Eddies generally involve circular motion; unstable patterns of eddies are often called turbulence. See also vortex.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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