whirlabout

[ hwurl-uh-bout, wurl- ]

noun

1. a whirling around in a circle.
2. a whirligig.

adjective

1. whirling around.

whirlabout

/ ˈwɜːləˌbaʊt /

noun

1. anything that whirls around; whirligig
2. the act or an instance of whirling around

Word History and Origins

Origin of whirlabout¹

First recorded in 1585–95; whirl + about

Example Sentences

Liberius—most willingly, Sic agimus—then let us try: Nunc vide, Skip with me, Whirlabout, roundabout, celere.

From Project Gutenberg

And yet the sudden whirlabout to all her thoughts and habits and ways, was very confusing.

From Project Gutenberg

“Don’t look at those whirlabout sails, but come let us go and see the house of Peter the Great, which was the chief object of our visit to this place.”

From Project Gutenberg

Grundy, meanwhile, is in a state of complete whirlabout.

From Project Gutenberg

Liberius—most willingly, Sic agimus—then let us try:        Nunc vide,        Skip with me, Whirlabout, roundabout, celere.

From Project Gutenberg