swirl

[swurl] /swɜrl/
verb (used without object)
1.
to move around or along with a whirling motion; whirl; eddy.
2.
to be dizzy or giddy, as the head.
verb (used with object)
3.
to cause to whirl; twist.
noun
4.
a swirling movement; whirl; eddy.
5.
a twist, as of hair around the head or of trimming on a hat.
6.
any curving, twisting line, shape, or form.
7.
confusion; disorder.
Origin
1375-1425; late Middle English (north) < Scandinavian; compare Norwegian svirla; cognate with Dutch zwirrelen to whirl, German (dial.) schwirrlen to totter; all < a root *swir- (whence Danish svirre to whirl, German schwirren to whir) + -l- frequentative suffix
Related forms
swirlingly, adverb
outswirl, verb (used with object)
Synonyms
2. reel, spin.
Examples from the web for swirl
  • The easy swirl of ginger butter at the end adds a bit of flavor and a lot of style.
  • Roll up a swirl of cinnamon-sugar into the dough, then top the warm rolls with cinnamon butter.
  • Pour in a little olive oil and swirl or use a silicone brush to coat the pan.
  • Ominous sounds percolate amid a foreboding swirl of nighttime snow.
  • Fifth-hand rumors of the urban-legend variety swirl around him.
  • And yet no flush would gush, no surge would purge, no swirl unfurled.
  • It's a bold move, with a swirl of reactions in the science-news, tech and photography communities.
  • If you look at the wrist of the hand, you'll see a brighter swirl of gas.
  • They continue to ring the gong at measured, precise intervals, which do not change as music and dance swirl around them.
  • The industry was in a swirl of restructuring when disaster struck.
British Dictionary definitions for swirl

swirl

/swɜːl/
verb
1.
to turn or cause to turn in a twisting spinning fashion
2.
(intransitive) to be dizzy; swim: my head was swirling
noun
3.
a whirling or spinning motion, esp in water
4.
a whorl; curl
5.
the act of swirling or stirring
6.
dizzy confusion
Derived Forms
swirling, adjective
swirlingly, adverb
swirly, adjective
Word Origin
C15: probably from Dutch zwirrelen; related to Norwegian svirla, German schwirren
Word Origin and History for swirl
n.

early 15c., "whirlpool, eddy," originally Scottish, perhaps related to dialectal Norwegian svirla or Dutch zwirrelen "to whirl." The meaning "whirling movement" is from 1818.

v.

1510s, with an isolated instance from 14c.; from swirl (n.). Related: Swirled; swirling.