whirlabout

American  

[hwurl-uh-bout, wurl-] / ˈʰwɜrl əˌbaʊt, ˈwɜrl- /

noun

1. a whirling around in a circle.

2. a whirligig.

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adjective

1. whirling around.

whirlabout British  

/ ˈwɜːləˌbaʊt /

noun

1. anything that whirls around; whirligig

2. the act or an instance of whirling around

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Etymology

Origin of whirlabout

First recorded in 1585–95; whirl + about

Example Sentences

“Don’t look at those whirlabout sails, but come let us go and see the house of Peter the Great, which was the chief object of our visit to this place.”

From Voyages and Travels of Count Funnibos and Baron Stilkin by Kingston, William Henry Giles

And yet the sudden whirlabout to all her thoughts and habits and ways, was very confusing.

From The Gold of Chickaree by Warner, Susan

Grundy, meanwhile, is in a state of complete whirlabout.

From Tono Bungay by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)