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whirring

 - 4 dictionary results

whir

  [hwur, wur] verb, whirred, whir⋅ring, noun
Use whirring in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to go, fly, revolve, or otherwise move quickly with a humming or buzzing sound: An electric fan whirred softly in the corner.
–verb (used with object)
2. to move or transport (a thing, person, etc.) with a whirring sound: The plane whirred them away into the night.
–noun
3. an act or sound of whirring: the whir of wings.
Also, whirr.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME quirre (Scots) < Scand; cf. Dan hvirre, Norw kvirra. See whirl

whirr

  [hwur, wur]
–verb (used without object), verb (used with object), noun
whir.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To whirring
whir   (hwûr, wûr)   
v.   whirred, whir·ring, whirs

v.   intr.
To move so as to produce a vibrating or buzzing sound.
v.   tr.
To cause to make a vibratory sound.
n.  

  1. A sound of buzzing or vibration: the whir of turning wheels.

  2. Excited, noisy activity; bustle: the whir of busy shoppers.


[Middle English whirren, probably of Scandinavian origin.]
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

whir 
c.1400, Scottish, "fling, hurl," probably from O.N. hvirfla, freq. of hverfa "to turn" (see wharf). Cf. Dan. hvirvle, Du. wervelen, Ger. wirbeln "to whirl."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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