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whirlpool

 - 8 dictionary results

whirl⋅pool

[hwurl-pool, wurl-]
–noun
1. water in swift, circular motion, as that produced by the meeting of opposing currents, often causing a downward spiraling action.
2. whirlpool bath.
3. Heraldry. gurge (def. 2).

Origin:
1520–30; whirl + pool 1 ; cf. late OE hwyrfepōl

gurge

[gurj] noun, plural gur⋅ges [gur-jees] , verb, gurged, gurg⋅ing.
–noun
1. a whirlpool.
2. Also, gorge. Also called whirlpool. Heraldry. a charge covering the entire field of an escutcheon and having the form either of a spirallike scroll or of a number of concentric rings, the whole field having two tinctures.
–verb (used without object)
3. to swirl like a whirlpool.

Origin:
1515–25; < L gurges whirlpool

whirlpool bath

–noun
1. a bath in which the body is immersed in swirling water as therapy or for relaxation.
2. a device that swirls and often heats the water in such a bath.
3. a tub or pool containing or equipped with such a device.
Also called whirlpool.


Origin:
1915–20
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To whirlpool
whirl·pool   (hwûrl'pōōl', wûrl'-)   
n.  
  1. A rapidly rotating current of water; a vortex.

    1. Turmoil; whirl.

    2. A magnetic, impelling force into which one may be pulled.

  2. A bathtub or pool having jets of warm water that can be directed toward a body part as for therapeutic purposes.

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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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: whirl·pool
Pronunciation: 'hw&r(-&)l-"pül, 'w&r(-&)l-
Function: noun
: WHIRLPOOL BATH

Main Entry: whirlpool bath
Function: noun
: a therapeutic bath in which all or part of the body is exposed to forceful whirling currents of hot water
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Science Dictionary
whirlpool   (wûrl'pl')  Pronunciation Key 
A rapidly rotating current of water or other liquid that sucks everything near it toward its center. The meeting of two tides can create a whirlpool.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Encyclopedia

whirlpool

rotary oceanic current, a large-scale eddy that is produced by the interaction of rising and falling tides. Similar currents that exhibit a central downdraft are termed vortexes and occur where coastal and bottom configurations provide narrow passages of considerable depth. Slightly different is vortex motion in streams; at certain stages of turbulent flow, rotating currents with central updrafts are formed. These are called kolks, or boils, and are readily visible on the surface

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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