to windmill

Examples

• All

• He hobbled down the short hallway, his leg windmilling painfully, and stopped at his father's room, gasping and panting for breath.

  Fiction book (2000)

• Yoshiko was windmilling her arms to keep from going in headfirst, but she was tumbling too fast.

  Fiction book (1996)

• I stood up, with one hand windmilling around behind me.

  Fiction book (2002)

• He starts to windmill his arms, as if he's about to take a flying leap.

  Fiction book (1999)

• Bait dropped his scimitar and windmilled his arms in an attempt to save himself, but it was futile.

  Fiction book (1992)

• The tall man flew backward, lost his grip on the door handle, and sailed out into space, his arms windmilling.

  Fiction book (2001)

• Windmilling in desperation—and for a moment it looks like he's not going to make it.

  Fiction book (1994)

• It took every bit of his balance to land in the tiny craters, teetering on one foot for breathless seconds, his arms windmilling until he could center himself again.

  Fiction book (2000)

• He does not dwell on why they don't shoot; he windmills his legs downhill for the dark shade at the bottom, ruts or no ruts.

  Fiction book (1995)

• As he dove into the pool, he could be seen windmilling his arms to maintain balance.

Synonyms

S

to swirl

vsto windmill

120 2.7

To move in a twisting or circular way

is done with arms or legs making wide circular motions like blades

S

to spin around

vsto windmill

38 2.1

To turn your body quickly in a circle many times

is performed with arms and legs in wide circular arcs not full body rotation

W

to whirl around

vsto windmill

9 3.7

To move quickly in a circle, often through the air

is performed more slowly with arms or legs in wide circular arcs

Idioms

T

to throw one's cap over the windmill

• Archaic

9.9

To make a big decision you cannot change that may be risky

Compounds

C

creeping windmill grass

• Australian

9.9

An Australian grass that lives for many years and has long spikes like a windmill

W

windmill grass

• Australian

9.9

A grass from Australia that lives for many years and has long spikes from the stalk like a windmill

How Vigorous

to flail

38 5.8

to windmill

1 5.0

twirl

15 2.7

swing

109 1.0

to turn

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology