whisk

[hwisk, wisk]

verb (used with object)

1. to move with a rapid, sweeping stroke.

   She whisked everything off the table with her arm.

2. to sweep (dust, crumbs, etc., or a surface) with a whisk broom, brush, or the like.

3. to draw, snatch, carry, etc., lightly and rapidly.

   He whisked the money into his pocket.

4. to whip (eggs, cream, etc.) to a froth with a whisk or beating instrument.

verb (used without object)

1. to sweep, pass, or go lightly and rapidly.

noun

1. an act of whisking.

2. a rapid, sweeping stroke; light, rapid movement.

3. whisk broom.

4. a small bunch of grass, straw, hair, or the like, especially for use in brushing.

5. an implement, usually a bunch of wire loops held together in a handle, for beating or whipping eggs, cream, etc.

whisk

/ wɪsk /

verb

1. (tr; often foll by away or off) to brush, sweep, or wipe off lightly

2. (tr) to move, carry, etc, with a light or rapid sweeping motion

   the taxi whisked us to the airport

3. (intr) to move, go, etc, quickly and nimbly

   to whisk downstairs for a drink

4. (tr) to whip (eggs, cream, etc) to a froth

noun

1. the act of whisking

2. a light rapid sweeping movement or stroke

3. a utensil, often incorporating a coil of wires, for whipping eggs, etc

4. a small brush or broom

5. a small bunch or bundle, as of grass, straw, etc

Other Word Forms

• unwhisked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of whisk¹

1325–75; (noun) Middle English ( Scots ) wysk rapid sweeping movement; (v.) earlier Scots wisk, quhisk < Scandinavian; compare Old Norse, Norwegian visk wisp, Swedish viska besom, wisp, to whisk (off ), Danish viske to wipe (compare Old High German wisken to wipe, wisc wisp of hay); for development of wh whip

Word History and Origins

Origin of whisk¹

C14: from Old Norse visk wisp; related to Middle Dutch wisch, Old High German wisc

Example Sentences

Video clips of him crouching and then being whisked away from a rally in the Copperbelt province shocked Zambians and many people, irrespective of their political affiliation, condemned what happened.

Read more on BBC

Cuzen Matcha Maker Gift Kit – Matcha is traditionally prepared with a stone mill and bamboo whisk, but lord knows most coffee shops you order it from are doing no such thing.

Read more on Salon

“Neighbors, friends, people who serve them are being whisked away,” he said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He whisks the reader from oceanic thermal vents through the rise of mammals to the emergence of human language, peppering the text with goofy drawings and personal anecdotes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

For savory oats, I go one step further and whisk in a little white miso, which gives the whole thing a quiet, savory hum.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• dart 
• dash 
• hurry 
• whip 
• wipe