whirligig (n.)

mid-15c., a child's toy, from whirl (v.) + gig (see gig (n.1)). Meaning "anything in constant motion" is from 1580s; "fickle, flighty person" is from c. 1600; as a type of water beetle, from 1713.

Entries linking to whirligig

whirl (v.)

c. 1300, probably from Old Norse hvirfla "to go round, spin," related to hvirfill "circle, ring, crown," and to Old English hweorfan "to turn" (see wharf). Related: Whirled; whirling. Whirlybird "helicopter" is from 1951.

gig (n.1)

"light, two-wheeled carriage, usually drawn by one horse" (1791), also "small boat," 1790, perhaps imitative of bouncing. There was a Middle English ghyg "spinning top" (in whyrlegyg, mid-15c.), also "giddy girl" (early 13c., also giglet), from Old Norse geiga "turn sideways," or Danish gig "spinning top." Similar to words in continental Germanic for "fiddle" (such as German Geige); the connecting sense might be "rapid or whirling motion."

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updated on September 25, 2012

Definitions of whirligig from WordNet

whirligig (n.)

a conical child's plaything tapering to a steel point on which it can be made to spin;

Synonyms: top / teetotum / spinning top

whirligig (n.)

a large, rotating machine with seats for children to ride or amusement;

Synonyms: carousel / carrousel / merry-go-round / roundabout

whirligig (v.)

whirl or spin like a whirligig;

From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.

Dictionary entries near whirligig

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whisk

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