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eddy

 - 6 dictionary results

ed⋅dy

[ed-ee] noun, plural -dies, verb, -died, -dy⋅ing.
–noun
1. a current at variance with the main current in a stream of liquid or gas, esp. one having a rotary or whirling motion.
2. a small whirlpool.
3. any similar current, as of air, dust, or fog.
4. a current or trend, as of opinion or events, running counter to the main current.
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
5. to move or whirl in eddies.

Origin:
1425–75; late ME; OE ed- turning + ēa water; akin to ON itha

Ed⋅dy

[ed-ee]
–noun
1. Mary (Morse) Baker (Mrs. Glover; Mrs. Patterson), 1821–1910, U.S. founder of the Christian Science Church.
2. Also, Eddie. a male given name, form of Edgar or Edward.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ed·dy   (ěd'ē)   
n.   pl. ed·dies
  1. A current, as of water or air, moving contrary to the direction of the main current, especially in a circular motion.

  2. A drift or tendency that is counter to or separate from a main current, as of opinion, tradition, or history.

v.   ed·died, ed·dy·ing, ed·dies

v.   intr.
To move in or as if in an eddy. See Synonyms at turn.
v.   tr.
To cause to move in or as if in an eddy.

[Middle English ydy, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse idha.]
Ed·dy   (ěd'ē)   


(click for larger image in new window)
American religious leader who founded Christian Science (1879), the tenets of which she explained in Science and Health (1875). She also founded the Christian Science Monitor (1908), a daily newspaper.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

eddy 
1455, Scot. ydy, possibly from O.N. iða "whirlpool," and related to the frequent O.E. prefix ed- "again, backwards," cognate of L. re-.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Encyclopedia

eddy

fluid current whose flow direction differs from that of the general flow; the motion of the whole fluid is the net result of the movements of the eddies that compose it. Eddies can transfer much more energy and dissolved matter within the fluid than can molecular diffusion in nonturbulent flow because eddies actually mix together large masses of fluid. Flow composed largely of eddies is called turbulent; eddies generally become more numerous as the fluid flow velocity increases. Energy is constantly transferred from large to small eddies until it is dissipated. (See fluid mechanics.)

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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