WHORL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does whorl mean? 

• WHORL (noun)
  The noun WHORL has 3 senses:

1. a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)

2. a strand or cluster of hair

3. a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops

  Familiarity information: WHORL used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• WHORL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting two and three dimensional shapes

Synonyms:

coil; curl; curlicue; gyre; ringlet; roll; scroll; whorl

Hypernyms ("whorl" is a kind of...):

round shape (a shape that is curved and without sharp angles)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "whorl"):

corolla ((botany) the whorl of petals of a flower that collectively form an inner floral envelope or layer of the perianth)

calyx ((botany) the whorl of sepals of a flower collectively forming the outer floral envelope or layer of the perianth enclosing and supporting the developing bud; usually green)

verticil (a whorl of leaves growing around a stem)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A strand or cluster of hair

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Synonyms:

curl; lock; ringlet; whorl

Hypernyms ("whorl" is a kind of...):

hair (a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "whorl"):

sausage curl (a fat sausage-shaped curl)

forelock (a lock of hair growing (or falling) over the forehead)

crimp (a lock of hair that has been artificially waved or curled)

dreadlock (one of many long thin braids of hair radiating from the scalp; popularized by Rastafarians)

Holonyms ("whorl" is a part of...):

coif; coiffure; hair style; hairdo; hairstyle (the arrangement of the hair (especially a woman's hair))

Sense 3

Meaning:

A structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

coil; helix; spiral; volute; whorl

Context example:

a coil of rope

Hypernyms ("whorl" is a kind of...):

construction; structure (a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "whorl"):

hank (a coil of rope or wool or yarn)

 Context examples 

Whorls and psammoma bodies are usually not present.

(Meningothelial Meningioma, NCI Thesaurus)

The petals collectively; usually the conspicuously colored flower whorl.

(Corolla, Food and Drug Administration)