swirl´ing|ly

swirl «swurl», verb, noun.

–v.i.

1. to move or drive along with a twisting motion; whirl: »

dust swirling in the air, a stream swirling over rocks. Figurative. The heat and noise made my head swirl.

2. to twist or curl: »

a lock of hair swirled against the neck.

–v.t.

1. to give a whirling motion to: »

Add the firm butter to the sauce in little curls, swirling the pan (New York Times).

2. a) to give a twisted or curled form to: »

Gold is used as an accent to emphasize the swirled pattern on a round table (New York Times).

b) to wrap around (with something).

–n.

1. a swirling movement; whirl; eddy: »

Figurative. the swirl of city life.

2. a twist or curl: »

a swirl of whipped cream on top of a sundae. Her hat had a swirl of lace around it.

╂[Middle English swirle eddy, probably < dialectal Norwegian svirla. Compare Dutch zwirrelen to whirl.]

–swirl´ing|ly, adverb.