eddy

¹

[ed-ee]

noun

plural

eddies 

1. a current at variance with the main current in a stream of liquid or gas, especially one having a rotary or whirling motion.

2. a small whirlpool.

3. any similar current, as of air, dust, or fog.

4. a current or trend, as of opinion or events, running counter to the main current.

verb (used with or without object)

eddied, eddying 

1. to move or whirl in eddies.

Eddy

²

[ed-ee]

noun

1. Mary (Morse) Baker Mrs. GloverMrs. Patterson, 1821–1910, U.S. founder of the Christian Science Church.

2. Also Eddie. a male given name, form of Edgar or Edward.

Eddy

¹

/ ˈɛdɪ /

noun

1. Mary Baker. 1821–1910, US religious leader; founder of the Christian Science movement (1866)

eddy

²

/ ˈɛdɪ /

noun

1. 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

2. a deviation from or disturbance in the main trend of thought, life, etc, esp one that is relatively unimportant

verb

1. to move or cause to move against the main current

eddy

1. 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.

2. See also vortex

Other Word Forms

• uneddied adjective
• uneddying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of eddy¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of eddy¹

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

Example Sentences

Its brief, exquisite melody glides in like a slow tide, and eventually releases into eddies of improvisation.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Navigating the galleries, which spill into each other, is akin to being dizzyingly spun from eddy to eddy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

While that was soon to change, it meant that for books especially, 1996 was an eddy of calm before the meteor storm arrived.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The process, Hauptman said, has made him feel like “an eddy in a river.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Understanding how fish swim in eddies could also aid in habitat restoration, the team says, helping conservationists engineer more efficient fish passages through dams.

Read more on Science Magazine

Related Words

• whirlpool