whir
or whirr
[ hwur, wur ]
/ ʰwɜr, wɜr /
verb (used without object), whirred, whir·ring.
to go, fly, revolve, or otherwise move quickly with a humming or buzzing sound: An electric fan whirred softly in the corner.
verb (used with object), whirred, whir·ring.
to move or transport (a thing, person, etc.) with a whirring sound: The plane whirred them away into the night.
noun
an act or sound of whirring: the whir of wings.
Nearby words
Origin of whir
1350–1400; Middle English quirre (Scots) < Scandinavian; compare Danish hvirre, Norwegian kvirra. See whirl
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for whir
British Dictionary definitions for whir
whir
whirr
/ (wɜː) /
noun
a prolonged soft swish or buzz, as of a motor working or wings flapping
a bustle or rush
verb whirs, whirrs, whirring or whirred
to make or cause to make a whir
Word Origin for whir
C14: probably from Scandinavian; compare Norwegian kvirra, Danish hvirre; see whirl
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for whir
whir
c.1400, Scottish, "fling, hurl," probably from Old Norse hvirfla, frequentative of hverfa "to turn" (see wharf). Cf. Danish hvirvle, Dutch wervelen, German wirbeln "to whirl." Related: Whirred; whirring.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper