whorl

== English == === Etymology === From alteration of whirl (verb). === Pronunciation === enPR: wôrl, wûrl, IPA(key): /(h)wɔː(ɹ)l/, /(h)wɜː(ɹ)l/ Rhymes: -ɔː(ɹ)l, -ɜː(ɹ)l Homophone: whirl === Noun === whorl (plural whorls) Each circle, volution or equivalent in a pattern of concentric circles, ovals, arcs, or a spiral. (botany) A circle of three or more leaves, flowers, or other organs, about the same part or joint of a stem. (zoology) A volution, or turn, of the spire of a univalve shell. (anatomy) Any volution, as for example in the human ear or fingerprint. A flywheel, a weight attached to a spindle. [from c. 1460] ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Verb === whorl (third-person singular simple present whorls, present participle whorling, simple past and past participle whorled) (intransitive) To form a pattern of concentric circles. === References === William Dwight Whitney, Benjamin Eli Smith, editors (1895–1910), “whorl”, in The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia: […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., →OCLC. “whorl”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC. whorl, Glossary of Terms, American Rhododendron Society