tourbillon

American  

[toor-bil-yuhn, toor-bee--yawn] / tʊərˈbɪl yən, tur bi ˈyɔ̃ /

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.

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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

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

But recently watchmakers have broken free of the spell, shifting their attention from the visual fascination of the tourbillon to the tuneful appeal of the minute repeater.

From New York Times • Mar. 9, 2012

Mrs. Forestier-Kasapi complemented her minute repeater with the added eye candy of a tourbillon complication.

From New York Times • Mar. 9, 2012

I have known before what it is to be in what our neighbours have called a tourbillon, but never on such a scale as this.

From Tales of Terror and Mystery by Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir