whirligig
Americannoun
-
something that whirls or revolves.
-
a whirling motion or course.
the whirligig of fashion.
-
a giddy or flighty person.
-
Dialect. a merry-go-round or carrousel.
-
a toy for whirling or spinning, as a top.
noun
-
any spinning toy, such as a top
-
another name for merry-go-round
-
anything that whirls about, spins, or moves in a circular or giddy way
the whirligig of social life
-
another name for windmill
Etymology
Origin of whirligig
First recorded in 1400–50, whirligig is from the late Middle English word whirlegigge. See whirl, gig 3
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The play found its voice through the Broadway developmental process, and Metcalf’s imprint is unmistakable in the rhythms of Nora’s whirligig monologues and bracing retorts.
From Los Angeles Times
"We've got damselflies and dragonflies, little water boatmen, whirligig beetles, water scorpions and because of all of them, we get all the birds that feed off them," he says.
From BBC
The extra boost from the lift force helps explain the whirligig’s amazing speed, Roh says.
From Science Magazine
Until now, researchers have believed that whirligigs attain their impressive speeds using a propulsion system called drag-based thrust.
From Science Daily
He translates the inner pressure of Danny’s mental state into whirligig movements that are mesmerizing to watch.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
