whirlpool
Plural: whirlpools
Noun
- a powerful circular current of water (usually the result of conflicting tides)
- A swirling body of water.
- A hot tub, jacuzzi.
- A state of turmoil, or agitated excitement.
Verb
- flow in a circular current, of liquids
- To spin or swirl like the water in a whirlpool.
Examples
- A whirlpool is an instance of a vortex produced by ocean tides, or by a hole underneath where the water would drain out, such as in a bathtub.
Origin / Etymology
From earlier whirlpoole, whirlpole, apparently from Middle English *whirlpole, potentially coalescing Old English hwierfel (“whirlpool”) and Old English hwierfepōl (“whirlpool”). Equivalent to whirl + pool. Cognate with Scots quhirlepole, whirle-pule (“whirlpool”). Compare also English whirlpit.
Eclipsed non-native Middle English gurges (“whirlpool”), borrowed from Latin gurges (“whirlpool”).
Scrabble Score: 17
whirlpool: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Wordwhirlpool: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
whirlpool: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary
Words With Friends Score: 19
whirlpool: valid Words With Friends Word