quirt

[ kwurt ]

/ kwɜrt /

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noun

a riding whip consisting of a short, stout stock and a lash of braided leather.

verb (used with object)

to strike with a quirt.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of quirt

1835–45, Americanism; perhaps <Spanish cuerdacord

Words nearby quirt

Quirinal, Quirinus, Quirites, quirk, quirky, quirt, quis custodiet ipsos custodes?, quisling, Quisling, Vidkun, quis separabit?, quist

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use quirt in a sentence

The girl was trembling with anger, or apprehension, and tapped her boot nervously with her quirt as she spoke.
Mystery Ranch|Arthur Chapman
Alfred turned up the hill again, and without a word began applying his quirt vigorously to the wiry shoulders of his horse.
Blazed Trail Stories|Stewart Edward White
"You can sit down again in the meantime," Sadie replied, and occupied a chair opposite, with the quirt on her knee.
The Girl From Keller's|Harold Bindloss
If you'd struck him with the butt of that quirt you might have killed him.
The Pony Rider Boys in Texas|Frank Gee Patchin

As they went up, Ted brought down his quirt with all his strength.
The Pony Rider Boys in Texas|Frank Gee Patchin

British Dictionary definitions for quirt

quirt

/ (kwɜːt) US and Southern African /

noun

a whip with a leather thong at one end

verb (tr)

to strike with a quirt

Word Origin for quirt

C19: from Spanish cuerda cord

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