whorl
5
8.1
- noun
- /wɜrl/
:
espiral
- We could see delicate traceries along its massive curving flank, curves and whorls etched into its structure.
- whorls of petals
- whorl of sepals
- concentric whorls
Examples
-
But within the core eudicots, flowers arrange their parts in discrete, concentric whorls, and none have transitional organs.
Academic text (2006) -
The seashell had a distinctive whorl that spiraled elegantly towards its tip.
-
"Hi," he whispered into the tangle of her hair, the whorl of her ear,
Fiction book (1995) -
The body was covered with the swirls and whorls of blue and red runes.
Fiction book (1991) -
The trouble was his double crown, which, if cut short, showed like stubbly whorls on the scalp.
Fiction book (2000) -
The snow had blown into wonderful drifts, like whorls on top of a lemon meringue pie.
Fiction book (1990) -
Eva had let the wood's own dappling form its markings, bringing the whorls to life in shaping muscle.
Fiction book (1994) -
At their summits, far overhead, whorls of stiff long leaves jut tensely outward.
Fiction book (1991) -
Clusters of galaxies are strewn like sea froth; whorls and smudges of light represent hundreds of billions of stars each.
Fiction book (1997) -
My palms were sweating, my fingertips moist, and the paper smudged up my whorls, making them visible.
Fiction book (2002)
Synonyms
48
2.7
A twisting, spiral shape like smoke or cream in coffee
38
3.5
A curved shape that winds around a center and moves outward or inward
20
3.7
A length of wire or rope wound in loops
14
1.0
A spiral shape like the edge of a leaf or the curve of a shell
11
6.0
A spiral shape that winds around like a spring or staircase
6
4.8
A spiral or curled shape often used as a decoration
5
9.9
A large circular movement of water or air that turns like a spiral
4
7.9
A small decorative curl or twist in handwriting
A small round shape made of rings, like on a flower or leaf
A spiral or coil shape found in shells, machines, and buildings
How Coiled
Surface Forms
Etymology
Whorl comes from the same old word as whirl, which means 'to turn' or 'to spin'. So imagine a spiral that turns around itself, and you can see why a whorl is the round, spiral pattern in hair, leaves, or pottery.