c. 1400, Scottish, "fling, hurl," probably from Old Norse hvirfla, frequentative of hverfa "to turn" (see wharf). Compare Danish hvirvle, Dutch wervelen, German wirbeln "to whirl." Related: Whirred; whirring.
the motor whirred
the whir of the propellers
whir of a bird's wings
whipper-snapper
whippet
whipping
whippoorwill
whip-saw
whir
whirl
whirligig
whirlpool
whirlwind
whisk
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