whirl etymology

Etymology:

  • Old English "hweorfan," meaning "to turn, to revolve"
  • Proto-Germanic "*hwerbaną," from the same root as Latin "verto" (to turn) and Greek "gyros" (circle)

Meaning:

  • To move rapidly in a circular or spiral motion
  • To spin or revolve
  • To be in a state of confusion or excitement

Origin:

The word "whirl" is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*wer-," meaning "to turn." This root is also found in other words related to turning, such as "vortex," "reverse," and "version."

In Middle English, "whirl" developed the additional meaning of "confusion" or "commotion." This sense is thought to have originated from the spinning motion of a whirlpool or the chaos of a storm.

whirl relate terms

  • wharf

    Etymology The word wharf comes from the Middle English word warf which in turn is de

  • awhirl

    Etymology Origin Middle English from Old English onhwyrfele circumference circle e

  • whirl

    Etymology Old English hweorfan meaning to turn to revolve Proto Germanic hwerba

  • warble

    Etymology Middle English warbelen from Old French werbler from Germanic warbilōn

  • vortex

    Etymology Latin vortex whirlpool eddy Proto Indo European werg to turn to whir

  • convolution

    Etymology Latin convolutio rolling up twisting together Derived from the verb

  • mandible

    Etymology The word mandible comes from the Latin word mandibula which is derived fr

  • rotation

    Etymology From Latin rotatio from rotare to turn to rotate Ultimately from Prot

  • brilliant

    Etymology The word brilliant is derived from the Old French word brillant which in

  • hurry

    Etymology Middle English hurie huryen Old English hīrīgan to hasten hurry Proto

  • motion

    Etymology The word motion comes from the Latin word motus which means movement or

  • pirouette

    Etymology The term pirouette derives from the French verb pirouetter which means to

  • tumble

    Etymology The word tumble is derived from the Middle English word tumblen which is