tourbillon

American  

[toor-bil-yuhn, toor-bee-yawn] / tʊərˈbɪl jən, tur bi ˈjɔ̃ /

Sometimes tourbillion

noun

1. Horology. a frame for the escapement of a timepiece, especially a watch, geared to the going train in such a way as to rotate the escapement about once a minute in order to minimize positional error.

2. a firework that rises spirally.

   Between two spectacular pinwheels, they launched a series of silvery tourbillons.

3. whirlwind.

---

Etymology

Origin of tourbillon

First recorded in 1470–80; earlier turbilloun, from Middle French to(u)rbillon, from unattested Vulgar Latin turbiliōnem, dissimilated variant of turbiniōnem, accusative of turbiniō “whirlwind”; see turbine, -ion

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tourbillon

It has an inclined tourbillon, a feature aimed at improving accuracy by counteracting gravity, which adds to its rarity in the watch world.

From Salon ● Dec. 19, 2024

It features a manual-wound skeleton tourbillon, a 72-hour power reserve, and a whopping 260 carats of Emerald-cut diamonds adorning everything from the crown to case.

From Golf Digest ● Jun. 28, 2018

Its most noteworthy feature is the ATC11 caliber, which launches Armin Strom into the exclusive tourbillon club.

From New York Times ● Apr. 25, 2013

Just like the minute repeater, the tourbillon — a gyro device to counter the distorting effect of gravity on vertical timepieces like clocks and pocket watches — serves no useful function in a wristwatch.

From New York Times ● Mar. 9, 2012

But I arrived by a quicker maneuver—a whirling gust, a tourbillon of the most terrific, hurled the biplane sidelong to destruction.

From Master Tales of Mystery, Volume 3 by Francis J. (Francis Joseph) Reynolds

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---