a small bunch of grass, straw, hair, or the like, esp. for use in brushing.
10.
an implement, usually a bunch of wire loops held together in a handle, for beating or whipping eggs, cream, etc.
[Origin: 1325–75; (n.) ME (Scots) wysk rapid sweeping movement; (v.) earlier Scots wisk, quhisk < Scand; cf. ON, Norw visk wisp, Sw viska besom, wisp, to whisk (off), Dan viske to wipe (cf. OHG wisken to wipe, wisc wisp of hay); for development of whcf. whip]
1375, "quick stroke, sweeping movement," probably from O.N. visk "wisp," from P.Gmc. *wisk- "move quickly" (cf. M.Du. wisch, Du. wis, O.H.G. wisc, Ger. wisch "wisp, brush"), from PIE base *weis- "to turn, twist" (cf. Skt. veskah "noose," Czech vechet "a wisp of straw"). Meaning "implement for beating eggs, etc." first recorded 1577.
c.1480, from a Scand. source (cf. Dan. viske, Norw., Swed. viska) related to O.E. wiscian "to plait," weoxian "to clean" (with a whisk or brush), granwisc "awn" (see whisk (n.)).
Whisk\, n. [Probably for wisk, and of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. visk a wisp; akin to Dan. visk, Sw. viska, D. wisch, OHG. wisc, G. wisch. See Wisp.]1. The act of whisking; a rapid, sweeping motion, as of something light; a sudden motion or quick puff. This first sad whisk Takes off thy dukedom; thou art but an earl. --J. Fletcher. 2. A small bunch of grass, straw, twigs, hair, or the like, used for a brush; hence, a brush or small besom, as of broom corn. 3. A small culinary instrument made of wire, or the like, for whisking or beating eggs, cream, etc. --Boyle. 4. A kind of cape, forming part of a woman's dress. My wife in her new lace whisk. --Pepys. 5. An impertinent fellow. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell. 6. A plane used by coopers for evening chines.
Whisk\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whisked; p. pr. & vb. n. Whisking.] [Cf. Dan. viske, Sw. viska, G. wischen, D. wisschen. See Whisk, n.]1. To sweep, brush, or agitate, with a light, rapid motion; as, to whisk dust from a table; to whisk the white of eggs into a froth. 2. To move with a quick, sweeping motion. He that walks in gray, whisking his riding rod. --J. Fletcher. I beg she would not impale worms, nor whisk carp out of one element into another. --Walpole.
Whisk\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whisked; p. pr. & vb. n. Whisking.] [Cf. Dan. viske, Sw. viska, G. wischen, D. wisschen. See Whisk, n.]1. To sweep, brush, or agitate, with a light, rapid motion; as, to whisk dust from a table; to whisk the white of eggs into a froth. 2. To move with a quick, sweeping motion. He that walks in gray, whisking his riding rod. --J. Fletcher. I beg she would not impale worms, nor whisk carp out of one element into another. --Walpole.
Wisp\, n. [OE. wisp, wips; probably akin to D. & G. wisch, Icel. visk, and perhaps to L. virga a twig, rod. Cf. Verge a rod, Whisk, n.]1. A small bundle, as of straw or other like substance. In a small basket, on a wisp of hay. --Dryden. 2. A whisk, or small broom. 3. A Will-o'-the-wisp; an ignis fatuus. The wisp that flickers where no foot can tread. --Tennyson.
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