whirlwind

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A windstorm of limited extent, such as a tornado, dust devil, or waterspout, characterized by an inward spiral motion of the air with an upward current in the center; a vortex of air.

   VVhile in the mean time there iſſued out on the Eaſt-ſide a ſtrong VVind, but pure and refreſhing, vvhich dividing into ſeveral parts that turned round became ſo many innocuous VVhirl-vvinds of ſincere Air, tinctured only vvith a cool refreſhing ſmell, as if it had paſſed over ſome large field of Lilies and Roſes.

2. 2
   noun

   A person or body of objects or events sweeping violently onward.

   Once he got that new scooter he turned into a whirlwind and damaged all the flowers.

3. 3
   adj

   Rapid and minimal.

   a whirlwind tour, a whirlwind romance

4. 4
   noun

   a more or less vertical column of air whirling around itself as it moves over the surface of the Earth

Etymology

From Middle English whirlewind, whirlewynde, equivalent to whirl + wind. Compare Middle Dutch wervelwint, Old Norse hvirfilvindr.