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.

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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

Many watches with a tourbillon cost more than $100,000.

From New York Times • Mar. 27, 2015

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

From New York Times • Mar. 9, 2012

The organisation of the body, the arrangement of its solids and liquids, is adapted to further the tourbillon vital.

From Form and Function A Contribution to the History of Animal Morphology by E. S. (Edward Stuart) Russell