whorled

[ wawrld, wurld, hwawrld, hwurld ]

adjective

1. having a whorl or whorls.
2. disposed in the form of a whorl, as leaves.

Word History and Origins

Origin of whorled¹

First recorded in 1770–80; whorl + -ed ³

Example Sentences

Department botanists confirmed that a population of small whorled pogonia has been documented on Winooski Valley Park District conservation land in Chittenden County.

From Seattle Times

Their table was laden with dusky cardamom marshmallows, delicate cookies showing off whorled thumbprints of black-pepper rose jam and lavender-flecked shortbread ready to crumble at a look.

From New York Times

Behind them sat a platter of ice, mounded with dozens of Eel Lake oysters imported from Nova Scotia, their whorled shells colored brown and taupe.

From New York Times

Just down the windy road, South Lake Tahoe was evacuated on Monday and was dead quiet as ash whorled through smoke like snow flakes would in a winter fog.

From Los Angeles Times

Occasionally lone cicadas whorled around in flight like her little fairy toy, Bluette.

From Scientific American

Related Words

• circling
• coiled