📖 W — The English dictionary · page 18

whirlpool — Everyday, meaning 1: A whirlpool is a place in a river or the sea where water spins round and round very fast, and can pull things down into it.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A whirlpool (or whirlpool bath, hot tub) is a bath where warm water swirls around.↗ Example: A whirlpool spun in the river below the waterfall.↗ · The boat was pulled toward the whirlpool.↗ · Water makes a little whirlpool going down the plughole.↗ · Stay away from whirlpools — they can drag you under.↗ · In the myth, a monster made a giant whirlpool.↗ · Stir the water fast to make a whirlpool in the jar.↗ · Mum relaxed in the whirlpool bath at the spa.↗ · So she passed quickly through the wood and the marsh, and between the rushing whirlpools.↗

whirlwind — Everyday, meaning 1: A whirlwind is a column of air that spins very fast, like a small tornado.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A whirlwind of activity is a lot of things happening very fast.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: A whirlwind trip or romance is one that is very quick.↗ Example: A whirlwind picked up the leaves and spun them round.↗ · The day was a whirlwind of parties and presents.↗ · She came into the room like a whirlwind.↗ · We had a whirlwind tour of London in one day.↗ · Dust whirlwinds called dust devils form on hot days.↗ · The last week of term is always a whirlwind.↗ · Again there arose a stormcloud with whirlwind and lightning.↗ · The Word is in them as they rush forth and as they return, they speak as from the whirlwind, and returning fall prostrate in adoration before the Throne.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893)↗ · The word of God is in them as they burst forth, and as they return; they obey the divine command, rushing along as a whirlwind, returning to prostrate themselves at his throne.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1887)↗ · They go and come at His word, and at His command ti)ev pursue like the whirlwind, and kneel before His throne.↗ (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914))↗ · Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: (Writings JOB.38.1, JPS 1917)↗ · When the whirlwind passeth, the wicked is no more; but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.↗ (Writings PRO.10.25, JPS 1917)↗ · As whirlwinds in the South sweeping on, it cometh from the wilderness, from a dreadful land.↗ (Prophets ISA.21.1, JPS 1917)↗

whirr — Everyday, meaning 1: To make a soft, steady buzzing sound like something spinning fast, such as a fan, a camera or wings.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (noun) That sound.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: To move fast with such a sound.↗ Example: The fan whirred softly in the hot classroom.↗ · We heard the whirr of the hummingbird's wings.↗ · The old computer whirred into life.↗ · The sewing machine whirred as Nan sewed.↗ · My mind was whirring with ideas for the story.↗ · The drone whirred over the playing field.↗ · "Whirr, whirr," went the wheel so quickly that the flax could not collect its thoughts.↗

whisk — Everyday, meaning 1: A whisk is a kitchen tool made of curved wires, used to beat eggs or cream quickly.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: To whisk means to beat food fast with a whisk or fork to add air.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: To whisk someone or something away means to take them somewhere very quickly.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: A whisk can also be a quick, light flick or sweep, such as an animal swishing its tail.↗ Example: Whisk the eggs and milk together.↗ · Pass me the whisk, please.↗ · Whisk the cream until it is thick.↗ · A taxi whisked them away to the airport.↗ · The magic carpet whisked Aladdin into the sky.↗ · The horse whisked its tail at the flies.↗ · And with this proud speech he gave a whisk of his long tail, and galloped away faster than before.↗

whisker — Everyday, meaning 1: One of the long stiff hairs that grow near the mouth of a cat, a mouse, a seal and many other animals, used to feel things.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (whiskers) Hair growing on a man's face.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (informal) A very small amount or distance.↗ e.g. "by a whisker" means only just.↗ Example: The cat's whiskers twitched as it smelled the fish.↗ · Whiskers help a cat feel its way in the dark.↗ · We won the race by a whisker.↗ · She came within a whisker of beating the record.↗ · Grandpa had grey whiskers on his chin.↗ · The mouse cleaned its whiskers with its paws.↗ · Seals use their whiskers to find fish in murky water.↗ · In a moment not a tail or a whisker was to be seen.↗

whiskers — Everyday, meaning 1: Whiskers are the long, stiff hairs that grow near the mouth and nose of animals such as cats, dogs, mice and seals, used for feeling things around them.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Whiskers can also mean the hair growing on a man's face.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: «By a whisker» means by a tiny amount: «we won by a whisker».↗ Example: The cat's whiskers twitched when it heard the mouse.↗ · Cats use their whiskers to feel if they fit through a gap.↗ · Seals find fish with their whiskers.↗ · Grandad's whiskers tickled when he kissed me.↗ · We won the race by a whisker.↗ · Never cut a cat's whiskers.↗ · The mouse had long whiskers and a pink nose.↗ · The Cat was laughing also, but tried to hide it by stroking his long whiskers.↗

whiskey — Everyday, meaning 1: A strong alcoholic drink made from grain such as barley, corn or rye, for adults only.↗ Example: Grandad keeps a bottle of whiskey for special visitors.↗ · Whiskey is an alcoholic drink for adults.↗ · Scotland is famous for its whisky.↗ · The cowboy ordered a whiskey at the saloon.↗ · Whiskey is made from barley or corn.↗ · Children must never drink whiskey.↗

whisky — Everyday, meaning 1: A strong alcoholic drink made from grain such as barley, made especially in Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the USA.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (a whisky) A glass of this drink.↗ Example: Scotland is famous for making whisky.↗ · Grandad keeps a bottle of whisky for special guests.↗ · Whisky is far too strong for children and can make you very ill.↗ · The distillery makes whisky from barley and water.↗ · He ordered a whisky at the hotel bar.↗ · Irish people spell it whiskey.↗ · ‘That was no bad whisky neither,’ says Maurice, handing back the empty bottle.↗

whisper — Everyday, meaning 1: To whisper means to speak very quietly, using your breath and not your voice.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A whisper is a very quiet way of speaking, or something said very quietly.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: A whisper can also be a soft sound, like leaves rustling, or a rumour.↗ Example: She whispered the answer to me.↗ · Please whisper in the library.↗ · He said it in a whisper so the baby wouldn't wake.↗ · It's unkind to whisper about people in front of them.↗ · I heard the whisper of the wind in the trees.↗ · We played a whispering game in a circle.↗ · «Look behind you!» she whispered.↗ · Don't whisper in class while the teacher is talking.↗ · “Who are they?”↗ Wendy whispered, shuddering.↗ · A froward man soweth strife; and a whisperer separateth familiar friends.↗ (Writings PRO.16.28, JPS 1917)↗ · Now a word was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a whisper thereof.↗ (Writings JOB.4.12, JPS 1917)↗ · All that hate me whisper together against me, against me do they devise my hurt: (Writings PSA.41.8, JPS 1917)↗

whisperer — In Jewish tradition, meaning 1: A person who whispers, here a magician who mutters spells.↗ Example: And the spirit of Egypt shall be made empty within it; and I will make void the counsel thereof; and they shall seek unto the idols, and to the whisperers, and to the ghosts, and to the familiar spirits.↗ (Prophets ISA.19.3, JPS 1917)↗

whispering — Everyday, meaning 1: Whispering is speaking very softly, so only people close by can hear.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A whispering is a soft, secret talk, often about someone.↗ Example: I was woken by their whisperings.↗ · The class fell quiet with whispering.↗ · The whispering wind moved the leaves.↗ · For I have heard the whispering of many, terror on every side; while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.↗ (Writings PSA.31.14, JPS 1917)↗

whistle — Everyday, meaning 1: A whistle is a small object you blow into to make a loud, high sound.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A whistle is the high sound made by blowing through a small gap or by a kettle, a bird or the wind.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: To whistle means to make a tune or high sound by blowing air through your lips or a whistle.↗ Example: The referee blew the whistle for half-time.↗ · Can you whistle a tune?↗ · He whistled for his dog to come back.↗ · Three blasts on a whistle means you need help.↗ · The kettle whistled when the water boiled.↗ · The wind whistled through the trees.↗ · Our lifejackets each have a whistle.↗ · Whereupon he went off indoors, whistling cheerfully.↗

whit — Everyday, meaning 1: A whit is a very tiny amount; it is used almost only in negative phrases: «not a whit» means not at all.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: «Whit» is also short for Whitsun or Whit Sunday, the Christian feast of Pentecost (church, UK).↗ Example: He cared not a whit about the rain.↗ · The new rule did not change things one whit.↗ · The old knight was not a whit afraid.↗ · My little brother is every whit as stubborn as me.↗ · Whit Sunday is also called Pentecost.↗ · In the old days, children had a holiday at Whitsun.↗ · Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.↗ (Writings PSA.51.9, JPS 1917)↗ · Her princes were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was as of sapphire; (Writings LAM.4.7, JPS 1917)↗ · And her prophets have daubed for them with whited plaster, seeing falsehood, and divining lies unto them, saying: Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken.↗ (Prophets EZK.22.28, JPS 1917)↗

white — Everyday, meaning 1: White is the colour of snow and milk.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: The white of an egg is the clear part that turns white when cooked.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: The whites of your eyes are the white parts around the coloured part.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: White can describe a pale face, from fear or illness.↗ Example: She has 8 white socks and 6 black socks.↗ · 12 of the 30 cars are white.↗ · How many are not white?↗ · White paint costs 5 dollars a can.↗ · The field was white with snow.↗ · Whisk the egg whites until they are stiff.↗ · A prism splits white light into a rainbow.↗ · His face went white when he saw the spider.↗ · Besides, Kotick was a white seal.↗ · His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.↗ (Torah GEN.49.12, JPS 1917)↗ · But if the raw flesh again be turned into white, then he shall come unto the priest; (Torah LEV.13.16, JPS 1917)↗ · And if a man or a woman have in the skin of their flesh bright spots, even white bright spots; (Torah LEV.13.38, JPS 1917)↗ · 'My beloved is white and ruddy, pre-eminent above ten thousand.↗ (Writings SNG.5.10, JPS 1917)↗ · Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no oil.↗ (Writings ECC.9.8, JPS 1917)↗ · and in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grizzled bay horses.↗ (Prophets ZEC.6.3, JPS 1917)↗

whitefish — Everyday, meaning 1: A whitefish is a fish with pale flesh that lives in cold lakes and rivers and is eaten as food.↗ Example: The whitefish went into the tub.↗ · We caught a whitefish in the lake.↗ · The cook fried mullets and whitefish.↗

whiten — Everyday, meaning 1: To whiten something is to make it whiter or paler.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: To whiten is to become white or pale, for example from fear or cold.↗ Example: This toothpaste is meant to whiten teeth.↗ · Her face whitened when she heard the noise.↗ · His knuckles whitened as he held the rope.↗ · Frost whitened the grass.↗ · Bleach can whiten towels but is dangerous to touch.↗ · The sky whitened before the snow came.↗ · Then every one saw the whitened skull, and they knew the dead man in the bed was a murderer.↗

whiteness — Everyday, meaning 1: The quality of being white, like snow, milk or a clean page.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Paleness of the skin, for example from being ill or frightened.↗ Example: The whiteness of the snow hurt our eyes.↗ · The toothpaste advert promised whiteness.↗ · I noticed the whiteness of his face after the fall.↗ · The whiteness of the clouds was dazzling.↗ · Polar bears blend in with the whiteness of the ice.↗ · The page's whiteness made the drawing stand out.↗ · She was tall and of slender figure, and of a dazzling whiteness.↗

whitethorn — Everyday, meaning 1: Whitethorn is another name for hawthorn, a prickly bush with white flowers.↗ Example: Whitethorn grew all around the house.↗ · The whitethorn was covered in white blossom.↗ · Birds nested in the whitethorn.↗

whitewash — Everyday, meaning 1: A white liquid made of lime or chalk and water, painted on walls and fences to make them white.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (verb) To paint with whitewash.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (verb) To hide the bad things someone has done so that they look innocent: «The report tried to whitewash the mistakes.».↗ Everyday, meaning 4: (sport, informal) A win where the losers score nothing or lose every game: «a 5–0 whitewash».↗ Example: Mole was whitewashing his house when spring called him.↗ · Tom Sawyer got his friends to whitewash the fence.↗ · The farmer whitewashed the barn walls.↗ · The report was called a whitewash because it hid the truth.↗ · England beat them 5–0 — a total whitewash!↗ · The old cottage was whitewashed every summer.↗