First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
whorl
noun \ˈhwȯr(-ə)l, ˈwȯr(-ə)l, ˈ(h)wər(-ə)l\
: something that turns or goes around in a circle
: a pattern that is made by a series of circles that turn around a center point
: an arrangement of leaves, petals, etc., that forms a circle around a stem
Full Definition of WHORL
1
: a drum-shaped section on the lower part of a spindle in spinning or weaving machinery serving as a pulley for the tape drive that rotates the spindle
2
: an arrangement of similar anatomical parts (as leaves) in a circle around a point on an axis
3
: something that whirls, coils, or spirals or whose form suggests such movement : swirl <whorls of snow>
4
: one of the turns of a univalve shell
5
: a fingerprint in which the central papillary ridges turn through at least one complete circle
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Origin of WHORL
Middle English wharle, whorle, probably alteration of whirle, from whirlen to whirl
WHORL Defined for Kids
whorl
noun \ˈhwȯrl, ˈwȯrl, ˈhwərl, ˈwərl\
Definition of WHORL for Kids
1
: a row of parts (as leaves or petals) encircling a stem
2
: something that whirls or winds <a whorl of smoke>
Medical Dictionary
whorl
noun \ˈhwor(-ə)l, ˈwȯr(-ə)l, ˈ(h)wər(-ə)l\
Medical Definition of WHORL
: a fingerprint in which the central papillary ridges turn through at least one complete turn
Illustration of WHORL
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